VZCZCXYZ0029
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNO #0626/01 2931240
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201240Z OCT 06
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0143
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 0336

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000626 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016 
TAGS: KCRM NATO PGOV PHUM PREL SR
SUBJECT: AHTISAARI UPDATES THE NAC ON KOSOVO STATUS TALKS; 
CALLS ON NATO TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR POST-STATUS 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 18, UN Special Envoy for Kosovo, 
(UNSEK) Martti Ahtisaari updated the NAC on the Kosovo status 
process under an expanded session with non-NATO KFOR 
contributing countries.  Ahtisaari stated that the talks are 
reaching a point where he will have to make a comprehensive 
settlement proposal.  While a short delay may be unavoidable, 
he hopes to present his proposal to the U.N. Security Council 
(UNSC) by the end of 2006, in keeping with the original 
timeline.  Ahtisaari explained the need for the creation of a 
post-status Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and called on NATO to 
fulfill the lead role in the support and development of the 
new force.  Ahtisaari stressed the importance of unity within 
the international community going forward and an associated 
public diplomacy campaign.  Ambassador Nuland welcomed 
Ahtisaari's statement on a new KSF and urged the 
international community to expend every effort toward status 
resolution in 2006.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------- 
STATUS TALKS UPDATE 
------------------- 
¶2. (SBU) Ahtisaari addressed the expanded NAC and outlined 
progress in the talks since he last spoke before the NAC in 
May.  He thanked the Alliance for its decisioQto have a 
"forceful and visible" presence north of the Ibar which has 
helped to enhance the security situation in northern Kosovo. 
He stated that although some progress was made on technical 
talks, particularly on cultural issues and protection of 
cultural and religious sites, Belgrade and Pristina remain 
far apart on key decentralization issues and community 
rights.  Although Ahtisaari intends to continue the 
negotiations, it is his assessment that a compromise solution 
is unattainable by the end of 2006 and that the only option 
left is to present a comprehensive proposal to the UNSC. 
While acknowledging the possibility of a slight delay in the 
process due to the prospect of upcoming Serbian elections, 
Ahtisaari made clear that he is planning to present a 
proposal to the UNSC by the end of the year.  He underscored 
the importance of avoiding a prolonged delay as Kosovo needed 
resolution in order to apply for economic assistance and 
membership in international organizations, such as the World 
Bank and the International Monetary Fund. 
 
-------------------- 
SECURITY POST-STATUS 
-------------------- 
¶3. (C) Ahtisaari told the NAC that the international 
community will have to give Kosovo authorities ownership of 
their security as their institutions develop the proper 
competencies.  In the absence of a post-status security 
force, NATO would have an open-ended security mandate as a 
de-militarized Kosovo risked regional instability, with 
security falling into the hands of private militias and/or 
organized criminal elements.  Ahtisaari expressed his desire 
to see a completely new, multi-ethnic security force for 
Kosovo of 2,500 personnel with limits on capabilities and 
armaments able to contribute to regional security.  Ahtisaari 
delivered the message that the NAC quickly needs to begin 
planning for the development and the training of the new 
force and its associated civilian structures given NATO,s 
extensive expertise.  He added that the Alliance and the EU 
should continue to have broad and separate mandates, but 
should increase their ongoing consultations and coordinate 
their actions.  Italy,s Perm Rep questioned the need for a 
robust Kosovo security force.  He suggested that temporary 
demilitarization would be a good interim solution.  Ahtisaari 
responded that 2,500 lightly-armed troops would not be a 
threat to the Serbian military. 
 
---- 
KFOR 
---- 
¶4. (SBU) Ahtisaari praised the importance of KFOR in 
maintaining regional security and NATO,s commitment to 
stability during the settlement talks.  He added that KFOR is 
respected in Kosovo and its presence will be crucial during 
the post-settlement period.  He called for no changes in 
KFOR,s structure or mission for at least six months after 
status.  Looking longer term, he thought it necessary that 
transatlantic partners, through NATO, continue to remain 
engaged in the Balkans. 
 
-------------------------- 
UNITY IS KEY GOING FORWARD 
-------------------------- 
¶5. (SBU)  Ahtisaari stressed the importance of unity within 
the international community and Contact Group member states 
as he prepares to present his proposals to the UNSC.  He 
underscored the importance of a public diplomacy campaign by 
the international community to deliver a credible, 
unambiguous message on what post-settlement will mean for the 
 
Kosovo people.  He added the importance of continuing to 
maintain engagement with Serbia during the post-settlement 
phase.  Responding to several inquiries from PermReps on 
Russia, he stressed that unity among the other CG member 
states and in the international community would lessen 
Russia,s ability to negatively influence events. 
 
-------------------------- 
PERMREPS SUPPORT AHTISAARI 
-------------------------- 
¶6. (SBU) PermReps expressed support for Ahtisaari,s efforts 
and noted his call for NATO to step up planning for 
post-status Kosovo, including increased NATO-EU 
consultations. Some, including Norway and Hungary, stressed 
the need for positive engagement with Serbia.  Ambassador 
Nuland urged that the international community make every 
effort to resolve the status issue in 2006, or very soon 
thereafter.  She said that Kosovo would need a small security 
force - and there was no better training force than NATO and 
its partners.  She also acknowledged that more extensive work 
with the EU was important; continuity between the KSF and the 
police would help Kosovo become self-sustaining.  She noted 
the need to remain vigilant during the upcoming Serb 
referendum while acknowledging Ahtisaari,s call for KFOR 
troop levels to remain unchanged for six months post-status. 
She observed that as the KSF became stronger, however, we 
would be able to turn over more internal security functions 
to the Kosovo authorities. 
 
-------------------------- 
QUINT MEETING WITH AHTISAARI 
-------------------------- 
¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Nuland hosted a meeting for Quint 
PermReps with Ahtisaari prior to the NAC.  All of the Quint 
PermReps expressed support for Ahtisaari,s efforts and 
welcomed his call for unity, particularly in dealing with 
Russia.  They highlighted the necessity of avoiding any 
prolonged delays and the need for NATO and the EU to work 
closer together on Kosovo.  While four of the PermReps took 
note of Ahtisaari,s call for a KSF, Italy expressed concerns 
about the need for such a force (repeated in the NAC). 
NULAND