Cablegate: Timor-Leste Inclined to Support Kosovo Independence

VZCZCXRO7960
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHHM
DE RUEHDT #0048 0451004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141004Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3860
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1029
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0001
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 3284

UNCLAS DILI 000048

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SENSITIVE
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UMIK EU YI TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE INCLINED TO SUPPORT KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

REF: A) STATE 15111, B) STATE 14626, C) STATE 13716, D) DILI 05

1. (U) Per reftels A - C, DCM met February 13 with Vicky Tchong,
Secretary General of Timor Leste's Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

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to urge that Timor-Leste promptly recognize an independent
Kosovo following its secession from Serbia. Tchong expressed
broad agreement with our position, but said that she could not
definitively commit on behalf of Timor-Leste without consulting
with Foreign Minister Da Costa. She undertook to do so.

2. (SBU) Comment. In past discussions, GOTL officials have
conveyed agreement with our position on Kosovo (reftel D).
Given Timor-Leste's own history as an occupied territory, its
government is clearly sympathetic to Kosovo's aspirations and
post is optimistic that it will recognize an independent Kosovo
without delay. End comment.

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