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UNCLAS STATE 005266 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL KV
SUBJECT: UNMIK - GUIDANCE FOR JANUARY 22, 2010 SECURITY 
COUNCIL DEBATE 
 
 ¶1. (U) This is an action request:  USUN is instructed to 
draw from the points below during the UN Security Council 
debate on the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) scheduled for 
January 22, 2010. 
 
¶2. (U) Begin points: 
 
Mr. President, 
 
I would like to welcome Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender 
Hyseni and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic to the 
Council today.  I also welcome Special Representative 
Zannier back to the Council and thank him for his briefing 
and for his service in Kosovo. 
 
Mr. President, 
 
It has been nearly two years since Kosovo became an 
independent country, and in this time it has made 
tremendous progress in solidifying its democracy, 
promoting reconciliation and playing a constructive role in 
regional 
and international economic cooperation efforts.  Sixty-five 
countries-- over a third of the UN's membership -- have now 
recognized Kosovo.  We welcome and applaud Kosovo for its 
demonstrated commitment and concrete actions to fulfill 
the obligations it undertook to implement the Ahtisaari plan 
and to play a 
responsible role as a regional neighbor and member of the 
international community. 
 
The Special Representative and the UN Mission in Kosovo 
(UNMIK) have made valuable contributions to this progress, 
as have the EU, the OSCE and NATO.  In witness to how far 
Kosovo has come, I would like to make the following points. 
 
First, the United States congratulates Kosovo on holding 
elections in 36 municipalities, including one expanded and 
three newly created Serb-majority municipalities.  We look 
forward to the elections that are expected to take place 
in the remaining two new Serb-majority municipalities later 
this year.  As the Secretary-General acknowledged in his 
report, the November elections and December run-offs were 
held in a peaceful atmosphere and adhered to democratic 
standards.  The Government of Kosovo undertook important 
outreach efforts to ensure Kosovo Serb participation, 
which contributed to the success of the elections.  We 
will continue our support for Kosovo Government efforts to 
ensure the new municipalities have the necessary resources to 
effectively provide services to their citizens. 
 
Second, Kosovo continues to take significant steps to 
strengthen regional relations.  In October, Kosovo and 
Macedonia 
completed demarcating their shared border and established 
full diplomatic 
relations.  In January, the visit of Croatian President Mesic 
highlighted the 
growing friendship and cooperation between Kosovo and its 
neighbors.  The Kosovo Security Force recently deployed to 
Albania to provide 
humanitarian assistance to the flooded regions.  And on 
January 14, Montenegro 
announced that it will establish formal diplomatic relations 
with Kosovo. 
 
Kosovo has demonstrated it is ready and able to play a 
constructive regional role.  Facilitating this role is in the 
Council,s 
clear interest.  We reiterate the Secretary General,s call 
for 
flexibility on defining a modus operandi that will 
facilitate Kosovo,s full participation in regional and 
international mechanisms, such as the Regional Cooperation 
Council and the Central European Free Trade Agreement 
(CEFTA).  Kosovo,s participation and contribution to these 
groups -- as well as its ability to export goods to all CEFTA 
members per CEFTA 
rules -- are intrinsic to regional stability, cooperation, 
and growth. 
 
Third, we echo the Secretary-General,s call to redouble 
efforts on returns to safely increase their number and 
pace.  To this end, we urge without further delay the 
reopening of the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) offices in 
Serbia. 
Acceptance of UNHCR,s offer to facilitate reestablishing 
this presence would promote further progress on returns 
and resolution of related property claims. 
 
Fourth, with regard to religious and cultural heritage, 
the United States welcomes UNMIK,s efforts to facilitate 
the work of the Reconstruction Implementation Commission. 
We are pleased to note that the Kosovo Electricity 
Corporation (KEK) and Serbian Orthodox Church officials in 
Kosovo were able to reach agreement on reconnecting Serbian 
monasteries and churches in Kosovo to KEK,s electrical 
grid. 
 
There is undoubtedly a continuing need for a mechanism to 
address remaining concerns, such as vandalism and access to 
cultural 
sites.  To this end, we have supported the appointment of an 
EU 
facilitator to advance discussions on religious and 
cultural heritage.  We also hope that all parties will 
participate in the regional conference with Ministers of 
Culture planned for later this year where issues can be 
further explored. 
 
Finally, I would like to express my government's 
concern with regard to recent developments in northern 
Kosovo.  As 
Council members are aware, UNMIK regulations established an 
Electrical 
Regulatory Office in Kosovo, which in turn gave KEK the 
sole license to distribute and bill for electricity 
throughout Kosovo.  Attempts to undermine this exclusive 
authority are detrimental to ordinary citizens, well-being 
and risk confrontation and divisions within Kosovo.  We urge 
those 
who are involved to act swiftly to resolve differences and to 
respect the 
legal framework for the provision of electricity services 
in Kosovo, including the north. 
 
The illegal parallel institutions also pose a threat to 
stability and the 
rule of law in Kosovo.  We commend the progress that EULEX 
has made toward 
integration of the Kosovo police force.  We hope to see the 
similar progress 
in the courts, as envisaged by the Secretary General,s 
October 2008 report. 
So far this has not been possible due to the continued 
opposition by the 
Republic of Serbia.   We would urge Serbia to look at the 
example of reconciliation 
that is taking place in other municipalities to the benefit 
of Kosovo Serbs.   And we 
urge the Council to monitor developments that risk 
undermining a unitary Kosovo. 
 
Mr. President, 
 
Kosovo,s independence is irreversible.  Kosovo continues 
to mature on the path towards greater European and 
Euro-Atlantic integration. 
The United States will continue to support Kosovo,s progress 
as it works to 
strengthen its democracy, and we will continue to support 
the aspirations of all of the states of Southeastern Europe 
to achieve 
their goals for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. 
CLINTON