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DE RUEHC #0111 2062325
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O 242319Z JUL 08
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UNCLAS STATE 080111 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL UNMIK KO
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD'S MEETING WITH 
SERBIAN FM 
 
¶1.  (SBU) This is an action request for USUN.  We understand 
Ambassador Khalilzad will meet with Serbian FM Jeremic on 
July 25.  The points in paragraph 3 summarize the Quint 
PolDirs recent agreement and touch on key aspects of our 
bilateral relationship. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) BACKGROUND: Serbia,s new government is making the 
right moves in some areas ) the arrest of war criminal 
Radovan Karadzic is notable ) but remains obstinate on 
Kosovo.  Although many of the GoS leaders have expressed a 
desire to change and soften Serbia,s Kosovo policy, FM 
Jeremic in particular is unwilling to break from the previous 
government,s policies.  Jeremic is opposed to restoring 
normal relations with the US ) he would not entertain the 
USG offer of an official high-level meeting on July 25.  He 
has maintained strong public opposition to the deployment of 
EULEX without a new UNSC.  Belgrade has done little thus far 
to rein-in Serb hardliners in Kosovo.  Jeremic is also 
committed to Serbia,s pursuit of an UNGA referral to the ICJ 
) a damaging act which we and EU leaders have warned him 
against.  The notorious case of a Serb who beat a fellow SUNY 
Binghamton student unconscious and then fled from a New York 
court with the help of Serbian consular officials is a new 
but major problem in bilateral relations.  While we remain 
hopeful for continued improvement in U.S. ) Serbian 
relations under the new government, Jeremic personally is 
complicating the effort. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) POINTS FOR USE WITH FM JEREMIC: 
 
-- Congratulations on Karadzic,s capture.  A bold move that 
is already paying dividends for Serbia.  No doubts about the 
political will on this issue, but you still need to arrest 
Mladic and Hadzic to close this unfortunate chapter. 
 
-- The U.S. looks forward to continuing to improve relations 
with the new government in Belgrade.  We have placed no 
obstacles on bilateral contacts or agenda so the ball is in 
your court. 
 
--  We acknowledge both the importance of Kosovo for many 
Serbs and your principled position on Kosovo,s status.  We 
do not ask that Serbia change its formal position on Kosovo; 
 
-- You must accept, in turn, that we have recognized Kosovo 
as an independent state; and that the majority of members of 
the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN Security 
Council share this position; more countries will join this 
position over time. 
 
-- We do not want Kosovo to damage our overall relationship. 
We want to help you move Serbia forward, including toward 
membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions. 
 
-- Serbia needs to shift away from the confrontational 
policies of the Kostunica government and shift to cooperation 
with the international community.  We should put our 
disagreement on status to one side and work together to build 
peace and security in Kosovo in the interest of all its 
people and to move the whole region toward the EU. 
 
-- For example, our EU partners have spoken to you about 
EULEX.  Delaying or opposing EULEX deployment could seriously 
worsen the security climate and possibly trigger refugee 
flows.  UNSYG Ban has made it clear that the UN accepts EULEX 
)- you therefore have cover to stand down on this issue. 
Similarly, we would like Belgrade to give more scope to 
moderate Serbs in Kosovo to pursue a policy of cooperation 
with Pristina, not confrontation. 
 
ICJ 
--- 
 
-- You have told us that you believe that seeking an ICJ 
Advisory Opinion through the General Assembly will be 
helpful, by moving our differences on Kosovo from the 
political to the legal sphere.  We strongly believe this 
approach is misguided and will backfire. It will prolong 
uncertainty and undermine security on the ground and keep 
Kosovo as prominent and divisive issue in Serbia and 
internationally. 
 
-- Pursuing the ICJ option also will have negative 
consequences for our relations and your progress toward 
Euro-Atlantic integration.  It would set Serbia directly at 
odds with all the countries that have recognized Kosovo. It 
also risks distracting us all from pursuing initiatives 
designed to help the region,s European integration; 
 
-- Frankly, the ICJ is unlikely to validate your position if 
this matter comes before the Court.  So we strongly urge you 
to bear in mind the full consequences of this course of 
action before taking any final decision. 
 
U.S. bilateral ties 
------------------- 
 
-- The case of Serb fugitive Miladin Kovacevic is 
complicating our relationship.  You know that key members of 
Congress feel as strongly about this as we do.  This 
controversy will not go away or subside.  It would not have 
happened but for the acts of a Serbian government official. 
We know your Consul,s acts were not authorized by your 
government, but nevertheless, we expect you to help resolve 
this issue.  Kovacevic should return to the United States. 
Your representatives told our court that he would appear at 
trial.  His legal position becomes much worse if he is still 
a fugitive on Aug. 1. 
 
-- The U.S. is serious about cooperation with Serbia and is 
looking to move ahead with you.  Now that you have won the 
election, we hope you will help improve our relations; lead 
rather than parrot the tired, discredited, Kostunica view. 
The Serbian people want change and integration and you can 
deliver it.  We need you to work with us positively, as your 
future partners, if we are to help you to achieve your 
government's stated goals. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) For further information, please contact IO/UNP John 
Mariz (202-647-0048, marizjc@state.gov) or EUR/SCE David 
Schroeder (202-647-0310, schroederd@state.gov). 
RICE