VZCZCXRO9046
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHBS #0096/01 0270902
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270902Z JAN 10
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USDELMC BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFITT/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000096 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV KV XG EUN
SUBJECT: EULEX MAKING PROGRESS, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN 
 
BRUSSELS 00000096  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  On January 18, the EU convened the EULEX 
Kosovo Committee of Contributors, which comprises EU and 
non-EU contributing countries for a political and operational 
discussion.  The Committee heard an operational briefing from 
the EU and conveyed U.S. policy points to all contributors. 
In the January 18 meeting, EU officials emphasized the 
mission's success in 2009, when EULEX reached full operating 
capability, stood up a court in North Mitrovica, and 
established a liaison office in Belgrade.  EU officials and 
non-EU contributors, including the U.S., emphasized the 
importance of not allowing parallel structures to develop. 
The EU and non-EU contributors also stressed the need to 
continue to develop justice and customs structures in 
northern Kosovo.  In addition, contributors called attention 
to their own contributions to the mission, such as Croatia's 
deployment of EU-requested armored personnel carriers.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Mercedes Garcia Perez, the new Head of the Europe 
Section in the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, 
chaired the meeting.  Garcia Perez opened by noting that in 
its first year of operations, EULEX established a mission, 
took over for UNMIK, and opened a liaison office in Belgrade. 
 She said that while this constituted a successful year, 
EULEX would confront a number of key challenges in 2010. 
First, as EULEX increases its activities to counter organized 
crime, criminal organizations could begin to strike back. 
Second, extending EULEX's remit in northern Kosovo will be an 
ongoing challenge.  Garcia Perez asked for contributors to 
support the mission operationally and politically, especially 
in communications with Belgrade. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The EULEX Head of Mission, General Yves de 
Kermabon, also emphasized EULEX's successes in 2009 and the 
challenges for 2010.  De Kermabon said he was proud of 
EULEX's level of engagement.  He said the mission's 
activities in monitoring, mentoring, and advising (MMA) had 
been well received, and EULEX had made progress on its 
executive mandate.  He emphasized the importance of Serbia 
coordinating with Kosovo authorities before visits by Serbian 
officials.  Serbian PM Tadic's visit had been fully 
coordinated, he said.  On the other hand, Minster 
Bogdanovic's attempted visit to Strpce was not coordinated, 
and Pristina asked EULEX to help escort Bogdanovic back to 
Serbia. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Looking ahead to 2010, de Kermabon cautioned 
contributors not to allow parallel structures to develop. 
"EULEX does not recognize or assist parallel structures," he 
said.  De Kermabon asked contributors to encourage Belgrade 
not to try to stand up parallel courts, in particular.  There 
can only be one judicial structure in Kosovo, he argued. 
EULEX helped reopen the court in North Mitrovica, where five 
trials have taken place.  Now, the mission must move Kosovo 
Serb prosecutors and judges into the court. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  De Kermabon highlighted resource and personnel 
constraints that could limit EULEX's ability to help the 
Kosovo authorities extend their remit to the north.  During 
the tenth call for contributions, the EU received 491 
applications for 489 positions.  However, the EU is still 
critically short of applicants for customs, judicial, and 
prosecutorial posts.  In particular, EULEX does not have 
enough applicants for border monitoring posts at Gates 1 and 
¶31.  Once applicants are selected for posts, de Kermabon 
asked that contributing countries ensure they deploy quickly. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Interventions focused on the issue of parallel 
structures and extending Pristina's authority in the north. 
Croatia emphasized the need to strengthen Kosovo institutions 
in order to render parallel structures redundant.  Croatia 
also called attention to its contribution of armored 
personnel carriers to EULEX.  Norway expressed its support 
for EULEX helping establish a functioning justice system in 
North Mitrovica.  Norway also expressed concern that parallel 
structures are growing stronger, noting in particular the 
inroads made by Serbian energy company EPS.  On the other 
hand, Norway praised the relatively strong participation of 
Kosovo Serbs in the electoral process.  Italy stressed Rome's 
conviction that all EULEX participants must provide strong 
political support to the mission.  Italy said this would be 
 
BRUSSELS 00000096  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
important in the fight against corruption and as EULEX 
expands its activities in the north. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  USEU DCM, drawing on Department talking points, 
stressed the importance of the rule of law, including 
combating organized crime and corruption, as a top priority 
for 2010.  He commended EULEX on its close cooperation with 
KFOR and asked about de Kermabon's thinking on a timeline and 
MMA roles for EULEX during KFOR's conditions-based unfixing 
from patrimonial sites.  USEU DCM encouraged EULEX to 
continue to establish itself in northern Kosovo, where a 
robust EU presence will help foster dialogue and defuse 
potential security risks.  He also stressed the importance of 
redoubling efforts to promote an undivided Kosovo, including 
by establishing unitary police, justice, and customs systems. 
 He expressed concern with Serbian attempts to undermine the 
existing legal framework for the provision of electricity 
services in Kosovo, and praised EULEX for its role in the 
Bogdanovic affair. 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Responding to the DCM's question, de Kermabon 
called KFOR-EULEX cooperation "excellent."  He stressed that 
NATO was still waiting for political agreement to unfix from 
the Gazimestan patrimonial site.  EULEX has already initiated 
planning and exercises focused on its MMA role with the 
Kosovo Police at patrimonial sites, including particularly 
sensitive sites.  The timeline for unfixing, however, would 
be determined by NATO. 
 
KENNARD 
.