O R 031942Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
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INFO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 127443 
 
SENSITIVE 
DAKAR FOR BISSAU 
LIBREVILLE FOR SAO TOME AND PRIMCIPE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO RECOGNITION 
 
¶1. (SBU) This is an action request.  See paragraphs 2 and 
¶3.  Posts are requested to deliver this demarche at the 
highest appropriate level before December 15, requesting 
host government recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. 
Info addressees may deliver this demarche if they believe 
it could have a positive impact.  Please see the following 
SIPR link for a list of countries that have recognized 
Kosovo: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/index.cfm?fus eaction=public.display&shortcut=I2GW . 
 
Objectives 
---------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Fifty-two countries have recognized Kosovo.  The 
UNSC issued a November 26 Presidential Statement, which 
paved the way for the EU to take the lead on rule of law 
issues in Kosovo and for the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 
to downsize.  The EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) 
reached initial operational capability December 2 and it 
will assume operations within days. 
 
--- Following these positive developments, action 
addressees should press host governments that now is the 
right time to recognize Kosovo, and to support its 
development as a peaceful and economically successful new 
member of the community of nations.  More recognition of 
Kosovo will promote stability on the ground, encouraging 
local actors to put the question of Kosovo's status behind 
them and to work toward practical cooperation between all 
communities. 
 
--- At posts' discretion, action addressees in CPLP member 
states may want to highlight Portugal's recognition of 
Kosovo on October 7. 
 
--- At posts' discretion, action addressees may share the 
list of countries that have already recognized Kosovo. 
(See contacts in paragraph 4 to request an unclassified 
list of countries that have recognized.) 
 
--- Kolonia and Koror should thank host governments for 
voting with us against the ICJ referral at UNGA and 
encourage them to formalize this support for Kosovo by 
recognizing its independence. 
 
Suggested talking points 
------------------------ 
 
¶3. (U) Posts can draw on the following points as needed: 
 
--- We urge you to join the 52 nations across the world 
that have recognized Kosovo, and to support its development 
as a peaceful and economically successful new member of the 
community of nations.  Kosovo's successful and stable 
development continues to be one of the most important 
priorities of the United States and its European partners. 
Our combined efforts will help Kosovo find its place as a 
prosperous, peaceful, democratic and contributing member of 
the international community, which is indispensable to 
overall stability in the Balkans. 
 
--- We also urge you to support Kosovo's IMF and World Bank 
membership applications. 
 
--- Kosovo declared independence on February 17.  Its 
independence was recognized immediately by some two dozen 
countries; a steady stream of other states have recognized 
since that time. 
 
--- Since its declaration of independence, the Government 
of Kosovo has shown maturity and willingness to work with 
its neighbors, including Serbia.  It has adopted a 
Constitution and implemented legislation to promote 
fundamental freedoms, including strong protections for the 
rights of all communities in Kosovo, including ethnic 
Serbs.  It has made notable strides in establishing the 
institutions of democratic governance. 
 
--- A very successful international donors' conference on 
July 11 raised approximately $1.9 billion in assistance to 
Kosovo.  The U.S. contributed approximately $400 million. 
All EU members and a number of other non-European states, 
including Saudi Arabia and Japan, participated in the 
conference and contributed. 
 
--- Acknowledging the "new reality" in Kosovo, UN SYG Ban 
Ki-Moon ordered the reconfiguration and reduction of the UN 
Kosovo mission (UNMIK). 
 
--- On November 26 the UNSC issued a Presidential Statement 
welcoming the Secretary General's latest report, which 
acknowledged the progress made in Kosovo, and reaffirmed 
that the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) would 
take over rule of law functions throughout Kosovo, paving 
the way for accelerated downsizing of UNMIK.  Kosovo's 
leaders have welcomed EULEX's deployment and reaffirmed 
their commitments to cooperate with the international 
community. 
 
(IF RAISED: Secession - Precedent Issue) 
 
--- Kosovo is a special case and not a precedent.  It is 
the final stage of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. 
 
--- Other factors that make it unique include the history 
of ethnic cleansing and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, 
the extended period of international administration, and a 
UN-led process designed to determine final status. 
 
(IF RAISED:  ICJ Vote and Recognitions) 
 
--- The UNGA recently adopted a Serbian-sponsored 
resolution to seek an advisory opinion on Kosovo's 
declaration of independence from the International Court of 
Justice (ICJ); notably, the question presented to the ICJ 
does not in any way question the right of states to 
recognize the independence of Kosovo, which is an entirely 
separate question in international law.  The ongoing ICJ 
process thus should not be an obstacle to new recognitions 
-- which is confirmed by the fact that the United Arab 
Emirates, Malaysia, Portugal, Montenegro and Macedonia all 
recognized immediately before or after the ICJ UNGA vote. 
 
¶4. (SBU) For further information or argumentation to reach 
Department objectives, please contact Kosovo Desk Officers 
Seiji T Shiratori or William Tomlyanovich (202-736-7729, or 
ShiratoriST@state.gov and 202-647-4781, or 
TomlyanovichWJ@state.gov). 
 
 
RICE