VZCZCXRO3721
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBW #0291/01 0611636
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021636Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0387
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1308
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RXFEAA/HQ AFSOUTH NAPLES IT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 000291 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (2/26 - 3/2) 
 
REF: BELGRADE 275 
 
¶1. (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to 
Serbia and Kosovo. 
 
¶2. (U) Summary: For the week of February 26, the second 
week of UNOSEK talks, the SNV rally and Russian DFM Titov's 
visit were the most notable events related to Kosovo in 
Serbia. End Summary. 
 
UNOSEK: the view from Belgrade 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (U) Belgrade media focused on the Serbian negotiators' 
proposals during the UNOSEK talks on security, cultural 
protection, and the international civilian office. Media 
also noted the GOS' renewed demand (and Pristina's 
opposition) to create a Serb entity, protect Belgrade's 
direct assistance to Serb municipalities, and make police 
appointments subject to approval by the majority of Serb 
assembly members.  On cultural heritage, media noted a deal 
was "narrowly missed." On the ICO and security force, 
Belgrade media noted that in addition to the GOS' general 
demand for "preserving the territorial integrity of 
Serbia," demilitarization in Kosovo was the major 
difference between the two sides. 
 
Belgrade: Politicians and Protests 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) As reported in reftel, the Serbian National 
Council (SNV) staged a peaceful demonstration of 
approximately 10,000 - 20,000 people in front of the U.S. 
Embassy on February 27 to protest against the Ahtisaari 
proposal for Kosovo status and alleged USG support for 
"dividing up" Serbia.  The size, expense, and orchestration 
of the event -- combined with the public support for it 
from the Prime Minister's DSS and the Socialists and 
Radicals -- suggest strongly that the Serbian Government 
helped finance and organize the event. The Charge' met with 
an SNV delegation prior to the event.  Demonstrators 
carried party and Serbian flags and banners with photos of 
missing Kosovo Serbs, photos of Russian and Chinese 
Presidents labeled veto, and slogans such as "USA, World 
Terrorist" and "Russian brothers, Help Us."  In his remarks 
to the protesters, Ivanovic attacked LDP support for Kosovo 
independence, saying the party is sponsored by Albanian 
tycoons and terrorists. 
 
¶5. (U) LDP's Cedomir Jovanovic said the protest sent a 
message to the world that Serbia refuses to accept reality 
on Kosovo. Jovanovic said, "Kostunica finalizes the Kosovo 
agony the same way Milosevic started it ? with a staged 
unrest of the people who always pays the dearest price for 
it." 
 
¶6. (U) Tadic reiterated that Serbia would not accept Kosovo 
independence, and that negotiations should produce mutually 
acceptable compromise.  Kostunica again warned Ahtisaari 
that he has exceeded his mandate by redrawing 
internationally recognized border and not enabling parties 
to reach agreement through direct negotiations within 
framework of international law. 
 
¶7. (U) Outgoing FM Draskovic announced his Kosovo plan 
which calls for "One Serbia, Two Systems" and claims to 
"enable Serbia to preserve its dignity, integrity and its 
borders...and speedily integrate into the European 
structures."  For Kosovo Albanians, the plan offers "a 
separate track for Kosovo towards Europe, and its ability 
to enter into special international relations and 
commitments." 
 
Belgrade Diplomatic Activity 
---------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) OSCE Chairman visits Belgrade: Spanish FM and OSCE 
Chairman Miguel Moratinos urged Belgrade authorities to be 
more constructive in Vienna talks, saying that "to preserve 
the multiethnic character of Kosovo," Belgrade, Pristina, 
and Kosovo Serbs need to work together a compromise. 
 
¶9. (U) Russian Deputy FM: No UNSCR without agreement: 
Belgrade media reported that visiting Russian Deputy FM 
Titov met with Tadic, Kostunica and Draskovic on March 1. 
According to the press, Titov said that Russia favors a 
compromise solution for Kosovo status within the framework 
of UNSCR 1244 and that the time is not right for Ahtisaari 
 
BELGRADE 00000291  002 OF 002 
 
 
to bring his proposal to the UNSC.  Russia would vote 
against a proposal without agreement. In a readout of the 
Titiv visit to CG Ambassadors, Russian Ambassador Alekseev 
reported, however, that there had been no mention of veto 
in discussions with the Serbs.  Alekseev noted that Titov 
reiterated the standing Russian position of no artificial 
deadlines and the importance of an agreement acceptable to 
both sides. The Russian side had expressed surprise and did 
not agree with Belgrade's introduction in Vienna of a 
position to introduce Serbian security officials for Kosovo 
patrimonial sites. Tadic had reiterated that Serbia would 
not accept Kosovo independence, and that negotiations 
should produce mutually acceptable compromise.  Kostunica 
was most hard-line, according to Alekseev, and Draskovic 
elaborated on his "One Serbia, Two Systems" construct. 
 
¶10. (U) Belgrade media also covered EU President Solana's 
statement that believes Russia will not veto a UNSCR on 
Kosovo status. 
 
POLT