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PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
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DE RUEHBW #0738/01 1451628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251628Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0897
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1349
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RXFEAA/HQ AFSOUTH NAPLES IT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BELGRADE 000738 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (5/21 - 5/25) 
 
 
¶1. This cable summarizes the week's notable events relating to 
Serbia and Kosovo. 
 
¶2. Summary: With a government formed, media and public attention in 
Serbia has returned to Kosovo and speculation on the likelihood of a 
UNSC resolution based on the Ahtisaari plan.  In a late-breaking 
development on the afternoon of 5/25, the GOS decided to officially 
ask the UN Secretary General for new talks on Kosovo status.  In 
general, all the key figures -- Kostunica, Tadic and the new FM 
Jeremic -- continue voicing strong opposition to the proposed 
resolution and support for Russia's "principled stand" against an 
imposed solution for Kosovo.  Tadic and Jeremic spoke publicly 
against "self-isolation" by straining relations with countries that 
recognize Kosovo, a policy advocated by Kostunica and his party. 
Interestingly, while Serbian media are referring to the draft UNSC 
resolution as the "U.S.-EU" or "U.S.-German" proposal, Kostunica 
calls it simply the U.S. proposal.  End Summary. 
 
Government Actions 
------------------ 
 
¶3. In a late-breaking development on 5/25, the GOS held a session 
calling for "launching a new phase of negotiations on the future 
status of Kosovo-Metohija," and forwarded it to UN Secretary General 
Ban Ki-moon.  According to the GOS statement, negotiations held 
"from February 21, 2006 to March 10, 2007," failed to reach an 
agreement and a new round of talks was necessary to reach an 
agreement "by all sides." The GOS called for "a positive 
atmosphere... suitable procedure and...adequate time framework 
without imposing artificial deadlines" for the talks. The statement 
concluded that the GOS "aware of the historical importance of a just 
solution to the problem...is willing to take full responsibility for 
the successful course and conclusion of negotiations." 
 
¶4. Prime Minister Kostunica resumed his public campaign against 
Kosovo independence through Serbian media and in meetings with 
foreign leaders.  Kostunica told FoNet on 5/25 that the GOS would 
"immediately annul" any document that would allow for Kosovo's 
independence, such as what he calls "the U.S. proposal" to the UNSC. 
 Also, on Russian television on 5/20, Kostunica said that the rights 
of Serbs are being violated in Kosovo, and both UNMIK and Ahtisaari 
are "deceiving" the international community.  He noted low numbers 
of returns by Serbs as evidence that Serbs are not safe in Kosovo. 
In interview with state news agency Tanjug, Kostunica repeated his 
assurances that Serbia will not trade acceptance of Kosovo 
independence for swifter accession to the EU. 
 
¶5. In a 5/23 meeting in Belgrade, Kostunica told Council of Europe 
Parliamentary Assembly President Rene Van der Linden that Serbia's 
respect for European values "means that the principle of sovereignty 
and territorial integrity must be respected with Serbia just as with 
other European states." 
Kostunica added that "indulging separatists' threats ...would have 
detrimental consequences not only in the region, but also 
worldwide." 
 
¶6. Belgrade media also covered President Tadic's 5/21 interview with 
a German newspaper in which he also warned that Kosovo independence 
could destabilize regions such as around the Black Sea.   He 
stressed that "even if it wanted to, Serbia could not abandon 
Kosovo," and suggested that a Serbian state might not be able to 
function if Kosovo became independent.  Tadic, however, said that he 
would not support damaging relations with countries that might 
recognize Kosovo, and said such a policy of "self-isolation" would 
be against the interests of Serbia's citizens.  According to 
Belgrade media, in a meeting with Croatian President Mesic, Tadic 
reiterated that Kosovo's independence is "unacceptable" to Serbia. 
 
¶7. New Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic followed Tadic's lead in his 
public statements and meetings this week.  Belgrade media covered 
Jeremic's 5/22 interview with the Financial Times in which he said 
any move by the new GOS to "give up Kosovo" would bring down the 
government. Like Tadic, however, he said that the new government 
would never let Serbia slip back into the "traumatic isolation" of 
the past.  Also this week, Jeremic and Kostunica delineated the GOS 
position on Kosovo to visiting Costa Rican FM Ugarte. 
 
¶8. Slobodan Samardzic, Minister of the GOS' new Kosovo Ministry, 
announced on 5/21 that his Ministry will propose the composition for 
the GOS negotiating team.  Samardzic told Tanjug that the 
negotiating team would be "definitely different" when it comes to 
personnel, compared to the current one, but "its core" would be 
retained.  Also, the GOS announced that Dusan Prorokovic will be 
State Secretary for the Ministry (after the post was declined by 
former Tadic advisor Leon Kojen).  Prorokovic is a DSS MP and was 
head of the Committee on Kosovo in the last Parliament.  His 
statements on Kosovo are identical to Kostunica's. 
 
¶9. In a statement from the Royal Palace, Crown Prince Alexander II 
 
BELGRADE 00000738  002 OF 003 
 
 
announced his "strong support" for the "stands about the future of 
the Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija taken by the National 
Assembly, the President of the Republic and the Premier of Serbia, 
and protests energetically against statements and plans which 
violate Serbia's state sovereignty and be little the Serbian 
people's historical, moral and cultural heritage."  He said such 
plans "also grossly violate the very foundations of international 
law."  The Prince added a reminder that "that Kosovo and Metohija 
were liberated from foreign occupation by his ancestors...and that 
democracy and freedom cannot be built on a denial of history, on 
injustice and the lack of human compassion."  Hinting at EU 
integration, Alexander noted that "the common way towards a united 
Europe is the same for Serbia and for Kosovo and Metohija within 
Serbia...no one should try today to separate something which is 
inseparable using the pretext that all will be together again 
eventually." 
 
 
USG Statements & Activity 
------------------------- 
 
¶10. Politika's Washington correspondent reported Department 
spokesperson McCormack support for the Ahtisaari plan as the best 
way to move forward, and a good basis for a UNSC resolution.  Local 
media on 5/25 reported on USG envoy to UNOSEK Frank Wisner's 
comments to VOA that UN discussions on Kosovo are progressing 
rapidly and that "the United States will press hard for acceptance 
of the envoy's plan for supervised independence of Kosovo." 
 
¶11. In a meeting with Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan (and AmCit) 
Christopher of Chicago, the Ambassador reiterated the USG's strong 
support for the Ahtisaari plan and commitment to minority 
protections.  The Ambassador also noted that Kosovo Serb returns are 
being obstructed by elements in northern Kosovo, and that leaders in 
Pristina are under intense pressure to rebuild Orthodox Churches and 
homes damaged in 2004. 
 
Diplomatic Activity 
------------------- 
 
¶12. Russia: Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alekseev noted in a 5/21 
interview with Belgrade tabloid Kurir that in the absence of a 
solution for Kosovo that is agreed by both sides and comports with 
international law, Russia would have to look at possibility of 
exercising its right to use its veto in the UNSC.  Commenting on 
former USG envoy Holbrooke's statement that Russia will be 
accountable should violence break out in Kosovo, Alexseev said that 
Holbrooke is accountable for the present situation in Kosovo.  If 
violence erupts, the Russian Ambassador said, it will only support 
Russia's conclusion that the security situation in Kosovo is not 
satisfactory.  On 5/23, advisor in the Russian Embassy Oleg Dziza 
told BETA news agency that Moscow's position on Kosovo would remain 
unchanged.  Dziza said, "we are not using the word veto for 
technical reasons, but should the final solution on the Kosovo 
status be unacceptable, we shall not support the solution." 
Belgrade media also reported Russian President Putin's comments to 
Austrian President Fischer that he opposes an imposed Kosovo 
solution. 
 
¶13. Italy: Belgrade media reported Italian FM D'Alema's 5/24 support 
for Kosovo's independence and urging for Belgrade to turn the page 
on "ideas of the past." 
 
¶14. EU: Citing unnamed sources, Belgrade wire BETA reported on 5/21 
that each EU member on the UNSC backs the draft resolution based on 
the Ahtisaari plan.  BETA also cited "well-informed European 
diplomatic sources" that the EU's very firm position is that without 
a UNSC resolution and "both political and legal" clarity, the EU 
could not send a mission to Kosovo. 
 
¶15. UK: During a 5/23 visit to Belgrade, UK political director Mark 
Grant said he expects a new UNSC resolution was "needed" and would 
be adopted soon. He also said that the aim of the new UNSC 
resolution on Kosovo does not award independence to Kosovo, but to 
lay the foundations for the Kosovo authorities to be able to ask for 
independence.  He confirmed that the U.S.-EU Kosovo draft resolution 
did not mention independence because "it is not for the Council to 
grant independence to any country, nor does independence work that 
way." 
 
¶16. Albania: Belgrade media reported Albanian PM Sali Berisha's 
comments that there are no alternatives to Ahtisaari's plan for 
Kosovo and his country's "full support" for a quick adoption of the 
plan. 
 
¶17.  Slovakia: Belgrade media also covered comments by Slovak FM 
Kubis that independence for Kosovo could encourage ethnic Hungarians 
in Slovakia to demand autonomy. Kubis' comments that the UNSC 
resolution text should stress the unique case in Kosovo also 
 
BELGRADE 00000738  003 OF 003 
 
 
received coverage. 
 
POLT