VZCZCXRO4185
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHPS #0631 2091606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281606Z JUL 06
FM USOFFICE PRISTINA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6346
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0781
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHFMIUU/AFSOUTH NAPLES IT
RHMFIUU/CDR TF FALCON
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEPGEA/CDR650THMIGP SHAPE BE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUFOANA/USNIC PRISTINA SR

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000631 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DRL, INL, EUR/SCE, NSC FOR BRAUN, USUN FOR DREW 
SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM UNMIK YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: PROTEST OVER VIENNA NEGOTIATIONS FIZZLES 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY.  Only around 250-300 protesters showed up 
for a July 24 demonstration in Pristina called by Albin 
Kurti, the activist leader of the Self-Determination Movement 
(SDM), against participation by Kosovo government officials 
that same day in final status negotiations in Vienna with 
senior Serbian political leaders.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Self-Determination Movement (SDM), led by ethnic 
Albanian activist Albin Kurti, organized a July 24 protest in 
downtown Pristina against the Kosovo status negotiation 
process.  The crowd, which the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) 
estimated to have numbered only 250-300 people, was dominated 
by middle-aged men and dispersed after 90 minutes.  KPS 
reported no incidents of violence. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Kurti held a July 23 press conference announcing the 
protest, and beginning on July 21 SDM reportedly put up 8,000 
posters and distributed 15,000 leaflets throughout Kosovo. 
Despite this, turnout was low.  Participants did, however, 
include representatives from Kosovo war veteran's 
associations and (U.S. Executive-Order listed) Kosovo 
Assembly member Emrush Xhemajli's Popular Movement of Kosovo 
(LPK). (NOTE:  Xhemajli's presence is the latest example of 
his deepening relationship with SDM.  Police arrested 
Xhemajli along with Kurti and 50 supporters at the Merdare 
administrative boundary line with Serbia who were protesting 
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's June 28 visit to 
Kosovo.  END NOTE.) 
 
¶4. (SBU) Speakers at the demonstration uniformly criticized 
Kosovo negotiating team members for going to Vienna to 
participate in talks on Kosovo's independence, which they 
said was "non-negotiable."  Most of the speakers were from 
the fringes of Kosovo's political life -- little-known 
members of fringe groups or fringe members of established 
opposition political parties.  Democratic Party of Kosovo 
(PDK) member Xhevat Bislimi said: "our population should 
listen to U.S. officials who have said that status will 
reflect the will of the majority."  Kosovo Assembly member 
Xhemajli said the mandate to discuss independence is with the 
Kosovo Assembly or with the people through referendum.  Kurti 
himself told the crowd that "Serbia is our enemy."  Former 
political prisoner and head of the well-known Kosovo writers' 
union Adem Demaci said "we are ready to pay any price for 
Kosovo's freedom."  In a July 25 interview with a local 
newspaper, Kurti expressed disappointment in the low number 
who turned out and blamed Kosovo's politicians and their 
"manipulation" of local media.  (NOTE: He was referring to 
negotiating team members Veton Surroi, who owns the local 
daily "Koha Ditore," and Blerim Shala, who manages the daily 
"Zeri."  Both papers are considered moderate.  END NOTE.) 
 
¶5. (SBU) COMMENT.  Although timed to coincide with the most 
important day of the Kosovo status process to date, the 
Kosovar public did not turn out in great numbers at this, the 
culmination of all of Kurti's demonstrations around Kosovo in 
recent months.  Those few that did were treated to the same 
worn-out message from war veterans and personalities from 
Kosovo's political fringe.  Kurti's efforts have thus far 
gained more media attention than traction with the general 
public.  Unfolding events will help determine if he remains a 
fringe actor, or garners greater support in the future.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
¶6. (U) U.S. Office Pristina clears this cable for release in 
its entirety to U.N. Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti 
Ahtisaari. 
KAIDANOW