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O 122247Z JUN 09
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INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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UNCLAS STATE 061197 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV KO
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR 6/17 UNSC DEBATE ON KOSOVO 
 
¶1. The Department Requests that USUN draw on the following 
points for use during the June 17 UN Security Council 
discussion of Kosovo. 
 
¶2. Begin points: 
 
Mr. President, 
 
-- I would like to welcome Special Representative Zannier and 
thank him for his leadership of the UN Mission in Kosovo 
(UNMIK).  The United States fully supports the 
reconfiguration of the UN Mission in Kosovo as outlined in 
the Secretary-General's reports of June 2008, November 2008, 
and March 2009, and commends Special Representative Zannier 
for his dedication to carrying out the Secretary General's 
directives and to the overall development of Kosovo. 
 
-- The latest Secretary-General's report demonstrates that 
Kosovo continues to develop the institutions of a 
multi-ethnic democratic state.  Kosovo has enacted a 
wide-ranging body of laws to promote and implement the 
principles of its June 2008 constitution, which upholds the 
rights of all communities and supports the preservation of 
cultural heritage.   These laws are fully consistent with the 
plan proposed by former UN Special Envoy Maarti Ahtisaari. 
 
-- Kosovo's independence is irreversible.  Sixty members of 
the United Nations have now recognized the Republic of Kosovo 
as an independent state, including nine members of this 
Council.  Kosovo has established government ministries, a 
security force that is being instructed by NATO, a police 
force, and other institutions to foster and protect the rule 
of law.  Kosovo recently selected an Ombudsperson to ensure 
the compliance of public institutions with the law and guard 
against abuse of authority, and has chosen the Kosovo members 
of the Constitutional Court, including minority 
representatives. 
 
-- PM Thaci has publicly restated his government's commitment 
to the return of Serbs and other minority communities to 
Kosovo -- most recently at the rebuilding of a Serb home in 
central Kosovo, which the government funded. 
 
-- Kosovo is increasingly active in regional and 
international organizations.  It was recently invited to 
become a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and 
is awaiting the results from the vote to join the World Bank 
(WB), which are expected to be announced mid-June. 
Membership in international financial institutions will help 
Kosovo build economic stability and prosperity for all its 
citizens and will advance the integration of Kosovo,s 
economy into the global financial system. 
 
-- In light of these developments, UNMIK's presence has been 
substantially reduced, and the European Union now serves as 
Kosovo's primary international adviser.  The United States 
fully supports further downsizing of UNMIK's presence, 
recognizing that UNMIK still has a valuable role to play in 
facilitating Kosovo,s participation in regional 
organizations such as the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 
and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). 
Kosovo's participation in these organizations promotes 
regional stability, cooperation, and growth and is in the 
interest of the entire region. 
 
-- As the Secretary-General's report indicates, practical 
cooperation between Kosovo officials and UNMIK 
representatives continues.  The Government of Kosovo 
confirmed in its Declaration of Independence that it would 
act consistent with principles of international law and 
resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution 
1244, and it continues to work with the UN mission. 
 
-- We welcome the continued progress of the EU's Rule of Law 
Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and its deployment throughout 
Kosovo.  The mission reached full operational capacity in 
April, and provides valuable rule of law assistance to the 
Government of Kosovo which will improve security for all of 
its communities.  We welcomed EULEX's and KFOR's firm 
response to recent violence over the reconstruction of ethnic 
Albanian homes in northern Kosovo, in support of a safe and 
secure environment and freedom of movement for all, 
regardless of ethnicity. 
 
-- It is in the interest of all of Kosovo's ethnic 
communities to fully participate in its democratic 
institutions.  We regretfully note that the Government of 
Serbia continues to support parallel structures in Kosovo 
that seek to cement divisions and sow tensions.  In this 
context, we underscore Kosovo's sovereign right to bar 
official visits by Serbian officials intending to establish 
or support these parallel structures. We encourage 
authorities in Belgrade to fully cooperate with EULEX as well 
as to support the integration of Kosovo Serb communities into 
Kosovo institutions.  In particular, we encourage the 
Government of Serbia to allow Kosovo Serbs to return to their 
positions in the Kosovo police force and to support other 
pragmatic solutions that will improve the welfare of Kosovo 
Serbs. 
 
-- Regrettably, the Government of Serbia also continues to 
block goods from Kosovo, even though UNMIK has certified 
twice that Kosovo,s new customs stamp is compliant with UN 
Security Resolution 1244.  We encourage Serbia to support 
intra-regional trade, in keeping with its Central European 
Free Trade Association (CEFTA) commitments. 
 
-- The stability of the Western Balkans remains a high 
priority for the United States.  We strongly support the 
region's integration into European institutions, and its full 
participation in the Euro-Atlantic community.  We recognize 
that Kosovo and other countries in the region still face many 
challenges, and pledge our continued support for their 
progress and development.  We will continue to work with 
Kosovo, Serbia, and other countries to promote lasting peace 
and prosperity in the Western Balkans. 
 
End Points. 
CLINTON