VZCZCXYZ0631
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHWL #0092 0670317
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 070317Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5143
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0028
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0028
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0021
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 5142
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0022
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0192
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY 0025
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0011
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0324
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0022
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0295
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0521
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0031
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0702
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000092
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ACE, EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND UNDECIDED ON ASSISTANCE TO KOSOVO
REF: A) STATE 18802 B) WELLINGTON 59
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Margaret McKean; Reason 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) In a February 29 meeting with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Europe Division Director,
George Kroup, and Europe Policy Officer Kate Russell,
Pol/Econ Counselor outlined planning for an upcoming donors
conference regarding Kosovo, provided the needs table
included in reftel A, and encouraged the GNZ to respond
positively to an invitation to the conference. Kroup
reminded Pol/Econ Counselor that the GNZ's stance towards
Kosovo remains tentative. He referred to an earlier exchange
between DCM and MFAT Deputy Secretary Hamilton (Reftel B),
adding that the paper on Kosovo is with the Prime Minister.
Any decision regarding possible assistance to Kosovo would
emanate from the PM's office, Kroup noted, adding that he
does not know how long that might take. Pol/Econ Counselor
asked if the GNZ would consider sending an official from
their EU mission Brussels to observe in June. Kroup
demurred, saying it was possible that New Zealand may not be
present.
2. (C) Comment: The issue of Kosovo's independence is
sensitive enough that direction from the Prime Minister's
office will be necessary before MFAT can make any decisions
regarding related issues surrounding Kosovo. Even an
observer at a donor meeting could be perceived as tacit
endorsement of Kosovo's independent status. MFAT officials
have promised to keep the Embassy apprised of any
developments.
MCCORMICK