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C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 048545 
 
SIPDIS 
ADDIS ABABA PLEASE PASS TO USAU 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018 
TAGS: PREL UNMIK PGOV YI EU KV GA GH GV LI MI ML MR MP
SL, TZ, ZA 
SUBJECT: KOSOVO RECOGNITION LOBBYING: TARGET COUNTRIES IN 
AFRICA 
 
REF: STATE 166909 
 
Classified By: Classified by EUR DAS R. DiCarlo; reasons 1.4 (b) and 
(d) 
 
¶1.  (SBU) This is an action request.  See talking points 
in paragraph 6 and questions and answers in paragraph 7. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ambassadors are requested to deliver the 
following demarche on Kosovo to host governments at the 
highest possible level. Department appreciates posts' 
efforts to date and now seeks to let governments that have 
either previously expressed interest in recognizing 
Kosovo's independence or appeared sympathetic know that 
now is the time to act. 
 
¶3.  (C) The objective of this demarche is to: 
 
-- Request host government to recognize Kosovo's 
independence now. 
 
-- Explain the importance of prompt recognition. 
 
¶4.  (C) BACKGROUND:  Washington, in coordination with our 
European partners, continues to lobby countries to 
recognize Kosovo as soon as possible.  Although Kosovo's 
pace of recognitions to date has been faster than 
virtually all other states founded since 1971 (Croatia, 
Slovenia, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Eritrea), we seek to 
maintain momentum around the world and to move several 
potentially-receptive countries through a targeted 
demarche.  Priority lobbying targets in Africa are: The 
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, 
Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia. All ten 
countries have expressed some support for independence or 
have appeared sympathetic, but have yet to move forward 
with recognition. We expect that recognitions by key 
countries, including two-thirds of the EU, Japan, South 
Korea, Canada and several of Kosovo's neighbors, as well 
as two African states (Burkina Faso and Senegal), can pave 
the way for more African countries to move forward now. 
 
¶5. (SBU) For the latest update on recognitions, please 
refer to the S/CRS-EUR/SCE Kosovo portal on SIPRNET, 
located at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/ (Click 
Kosovo). For examples of Kosovo's progress, and other 
cleared press guidance, please refer to the "Special Focus 
- Kosovo" on InfoCentral at: 
https://infocentral.state.gov/home/ 
pd-focus/pd-special-focus/kosovo2. This and other more 
in-depth information can be found at the aforementioned 
Kosovo Portal on SIPRNET. 
 
¶6. (SBU) POINTS FOR USE ON KOSOVO:  Department requests 
that Ambassadors/Charges draw on the following points to 
underscore the importance to the USG of recognition of 
Kosovo. 
 
-- Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, in 
accordance with the recommendations of Martti Ahtisaari, 
Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, and his 
comprehensive proposal for the Kosovo status settlement. 
On February 18, 2008, the United States and several other 
governments recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and 
independent state. 
 
-- We urge that your country join the U.S. and the many 
other countries that already have recognized Kosovo in the 
two months since its independence and establish diplomatic 
relations with the Republic of Kosovo.  Your government's 
prompt recognition would help support a smooth transition 
for Kosovo, bolster regional stability, and promote 
closure for the conflicts that plagued the Western Balkans 
in the 1990's. 
 
-- In addition to most European countries and others in 
Asia and Latin America, Burkina Faso and Senegal have 
recognized Kosovo.  This pace of recognitions has been 
faster than for virtually all other states founded in the 
last several decades (e.g. Eritrea, Croatia, Slovenia, 
Timor-Leste, Bangladesh). 
 
--  We acknowledge that Serbia has opposed Kosovo's 
independence declaration.  Nevertheless, Kosovo's 
existence is a fact, turning back the clock is not 
possible, and maintaining momentum on recognitions will 
help avoid a new frozen conflict. 
 
--  The Ahtisaari plan for supervised independence 
provided the best prospect for international peace and 
stability in Southeast Europe.  Your support to maintain 
the momentum of recognitions would be significant and 
timely. 
 
FOR POSTS IN OIC MEMBERS STATES ONLY: 
 
-- The 2008 Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) 
Dakar Summit declaration communiqu expressed solidarity 
with the Kosovo people.  Afghanistan, Albania, Burkina 
Faso, Senegal, and Turkey have recognized Kosovo while 
several other OIC members have expressed support and 
solidarity with Kosovo. 
 
¶7. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (IF ASKED): 
 
Q:  WHY IS THE U.S. PUSHING FOR THIS NOW? 
 
-- Resolving Kosovo's status and bringing peace and 
prosperity to the Balkans region has been a foreign policy 
priority of the U.S. and the international community for 
over a decade. 
 
-- Your recognition would send a positive sign of 
solidarity with the people of Kosovo and southeast Europe - 
- of all ethnicities -- who crave normalcy after years of 
conflict and turmoil.  It would also facilitate the 
country's integration into the international community. 
 
-- Your recognition of Kosovo's independence would also 
send an important message to Serbia and its people. The 
sooner Serbia's leaders accept the fact of Kosovo's 
independence; the sooner Serbian society can concentrate 
on a positive agenda of political and economic reform, 
which are the main concerns of Serbia's citizens. 
 
-- Recognition by your country would also assist Kosovo's 
entry into international financial institutions.  Although 
the 39 countries that have already recognized Kosovo 
represent a weighted-majority in these institutions, the 
United States believes it important to increase the number 
and regional diversity of countries that support economic 
development for all the people of Kosovo within the IMF 
and World Bank. 
 
Q: WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE RECOGNIZED KOSOVO? 
 
-- We have been pleased that a number of countries have 
moved forward quickly to recognize Kosovo.  To date, 39 
countries have recognized Kosovo and several others have 
said they intend to do so.  This pace of recognition has 
been faster than that of other states whose independence 
was controversial, including Croatia, Slovenia, 
Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Eritrea.  Countries that have 
recognized to date include: two-thirds of the EU and NATO; 
8 of 15 UN Security Council members; all G8 members, 
except Russia. 
 
Q: IS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO STABLE NOW? 
 
-- We are pleased that the Government of Kosovo has shown 
maturity, restraint and leadership.  Kosovo has seen 
virtually no inter-ethnic violence and no refugee flows 
since the declaration of independence.  Its multiethnic 
government and other leaders have reached out to the 
population and built on the track record of eight years of 
elected provisional government.  They have taken steps to 
implement the Ahtisaari Plan, particularly its protections 
for minorities.  The Kosovo Government has adopted 
nineteen Ahtisaari-related laws, including laws on 
minority protection, and adopted a new constitution that 
enshrines the Ahtisaari principles. 
 
Q:  IS KOSOVO A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER SEPARATIST REGIONS? 
 
-- As we and the many other governments that have 
recognized Kosovo have emphasized repeatedly, Kosovo's 
independence does not set a precedent.  The history of the 
Balkans that led to the specific circumstances in which 
Kosovo found itself is unique and should not be compared 
to Africa or other regions.  Kosovo's struggle must be 
viewed within the context of the non-consensual and 
violent break-up of the Yugoslav Federation. Among the 
factors that make Kosovo special are the policies of 
ethnic cleansing and other atrocities against civilians in 
Kosovo, the extended period of international 
administration of Kosovo that effectively removed any 
Serbian authority over it, and a U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1244 (1999) that called for a political process 
designed to determine Kosovo's status. 
 
-- This combination of circumstances makes Kosovo 
different from conflicts elsewhere. 
 
¶Q. DID THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL 
COMMUNITY MAKE ALL EFFORTS POSSIBLE TO REACH A MUTUALLY 
AGREED SOLUTION? 
 
-- All avenues were explored to the fullest before Kosovo 
reached the decision to declare independence. President 
Ahtisaari and others worked intensively for over two years 
to find a negotiated solution for Kosovo. UNSC Resolution 
1244, which called for a political process designed to 
determine Kosovo's future status, may have envisioned an 
agreement between the parties but did not require one. 
Although Ahtisaari and a subsequent EU-Russia-U.S Troika 
left no diplomatic stone unturned, the parties could not 
come to agreement on the question of status. 
 
-- This Ahtisaari process did, however, allow for the 
development of internal arrangements that would promote a 
multi-ethnic, democratic Kosovo, strengthen good 
governance, and provide for active and meaningful 
participation in public life by all its minority 
communities. Ahtisaari's plan for supervised independence 
for Kosovo also promotes and protects the rights of all of 
Kosovo's ethnic communities, including, in particular, 
those of Kosovo Serbs. Most states in the European region, 
including neighbors of Kosovo other than Serbia, and the 
majority of UNSC members endorsed the Ahtisaari Plan. 
 
¶Q. WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC 
CONFERENCE (OIC) ON KOSOVO? 
 
-- The 2008 Organization of The Islamic Conference Summit 
in Dakar included the following statement on Kosovo it its 
communiqu: "The Conference noted the declaration of 
independence by the Assembly of Kosovo, on February 17, 
¶2008. Recalling the continue interest of the OIC, 
regarding the Muslims in the Balkans, it expressed its 
solidarity with the Kosovar People." 
 
-- In the run-up to the Summit, OIC Secretary General 
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu issued a statement immediately 
following the Kosovo declaration of independence on 
February 17.  The OIC SYG said: "...a very important event 
took place yesterday. Kosovo has finally declared its 
independence after a long and determined struggle by its 
people. As we rejoice this happy result, we declare our 
solidarity with and support to our brothers and sisters 
there.  The Islamic Umma wishes them success in their new 
battle awaiting them which is the building of a strong and 
prosperous state capable of satisfying of its people. 
There is no doubt that the independence of Kosovo will be 
an asset to the Muslim world and further enhance the joint 
Islamic action." 
 
¶8.  (U) POINT OF CONTACT:  Daniela Carcani, Kosovo Desk 
Officer, Office of South Central Europe, Bureau of 
European and Eurasian Affairs(+ 1 202-736-7012 or 
CarcaniD@state.gov). 
RICE