Cablegate: Ds Lew Meeting with Albanian President On Sidelines Of

VZCZCXRO3961
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHVB #0118 0570727
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260727Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9933
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000118

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR-SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZL AL
SUBJECT: DS LEW MEETING WITH ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ON SIDELINES OF
CROATIAN INAUGURATION

Sensitive but unclassified; please handle accordingly.

1. (SBU) In a meeting on February 18, prior to the inauguration of
Croatia's new president, Ivo Josipovic, Deputy Secretary Lew met
with President Topi from Albania. The talks covered Kosovo and
regional relations, Albania's domestic situation, and Afghanistan.
President Topi thanked the Deputy Secretary for the USG's assistance
and friendship, particularly with Kosovo. They noted that the
second anniversary of Kosovo's independence was the prior day.
Serbia's foreign policy, according to Topi, can be ambiguous at
times, with moves to orient Serbia on an EU path while still
contesting the independence of Kosovo. Albania's relations with
Croatia and Montenegro are the best ever, he said, and the
Macedonian relationship is also good.

2. (SBU) President Topi described the current political situation in
Albania. He said efforts are underway to resolve the standoff in
the parliament where the opposition's refusal to attend sessions has
hindered the passage of needed reforms. The Deputy Secretary urged
Topi to continue to play a mediator's role. D Lew also noted the
importance of properly managing the role of the Albanian
intelligence service.

3. (SBU) The Deputy Secretary thanked Topi for Albania's
contribution to ISAF and the GOA's continuing acceptance of
Guantanamo detainees. He also welcomed the GOA's consideration of
increasing its ISAF commitment and discussed the importance the U.S.
administration places on identifying additional trainers for Afghan
soldiers (ANA) and police (ANP).

FOLEY

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