

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08STATE114173, NORDIC AND BALTIC POLITICAL DIRECTORS, OCTOBER 2
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08STATE114173.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08STATE114173 | 2008-10-27 16:10 | 2011-04-24 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Secretary of State |
VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #4173 3011616
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271610Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0000
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 114173
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2018
TAGS: KNEI PREL EUR BO GG RS UP XG SW NO LG LH IC EN FI
DA, AF, IZ, MD
SUBJECT: NORDIC AND BALTIC POLITICAL DIRECTORS, OCTOBER 2
CONSULTATIONS IN VILNIUS
Classified By: Classified by EUR Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried,
Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d).
¶1. (C) Summary. On October 2, political directors and other
senior officials from the nine members of the Expanded
Partnership
in Northern Europe (E-PINE), including EUR Assistant
Secretary Dan
Fried, met in Vilnius for semi-annual consultations. The
principal
issues discussed were Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova,
Iraq, and
Afghanistan. On Georgia, PolDirs exchanged views on how best
to
support that country's territorial integrity and democratic
processes.
With respect to Belarus, they agreed that the recent
elections
were disappointing, but that too much isolation might only
serve
to force the GOB closer to Russia. The participants shared
concerns
over the political infighting in Ukraine, as well as over the
possibility of Russian subversion in the Crimea. They
concurred that
5 2 format remained the best way forward for Moldova.
Participants
reviewed the positive trends in Iraq, as well as recent areas
of
concern in Afghanistan, which they agreed reflected in part
the
need for stronger government institutions. The U.S. will
host
the next e-PINE Political Directors' meeting in Washington
in 2009. End Summary.
Georgia
-------
¶2. (C) Swedish Political Director Bjorn Lyrvall led off the
discussion on Georgia noting that Russia had failed to
achieve
its primary goal there, i.e. regime change. He said it is
important to maintain pressure on Russia to abide by the
terms
of the ceasefire. He stressed the need to show support for
Georgia, and to ensure Ministerial-level attendance at the
October 22 donor conference. Getting observers into the
disputed
regions is also very important. The EU should work towards
rollover
to international observers in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
adding that
Russian demands for restrictions on Georgian military and
police
movement are unacceptable. He emphasized that business as
usual
with Russia is not possible.
¶3. (C) A/S Fried agreed that regime change was the ultimate
goal
of the Russian invasion and that while the GOR had failed for
now,
it is unlikely to give up. It is therefore important to
shore up
the Georgian economy, help stabilize the political system,
keep
pressure on the GOG to reform and strengthen its democratic
institutions, and to strengthen the military so Georgia can
defend
itself. Russia and Georgia must be treated equally at
negotiations;
it should be clear that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are not on
the
same footing as Georgia. Should Russia pull out of
uncontested
Georgia, then the acute phase of the crisis will be over. It
is
important to find a way forward that prevents Russia from
shoring
up any gains.
¶4. (C) Estonian Political Director Kull noted that there are
challenges ahead in maintaining Georgia's territorial
integrity
and in ensuring EU cooperation. The problem is that not all
EU
members agree about what needs to be done, especially on visa
facilitation. Danish Political Director Damsgaard agreed
that
there is a need to stress territorial integrity, and that the
EU
mandate concerns the whole of Georgia, including the
contested areas.
¶5. (C) Latvian Political Director Usubs was most concerned
about
the October 15 international talks on security and stability
in
the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as
provided
for in the September 8 Sarkozy-Medvedev agreement. He
worried that
Russia will pressure CIS countries, especially those with a
need
for energy, to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The
engagement
of the EU in monitoring missions lends an element of
credibility.
Finland's Vierros agreed that the EU presence is welcome; she
found
it worrisome, however, that monitors are still having trouble
accessing South Ossetia.
¶6. (C) A/S Fried reiterated that the August ceasefire should
not be renegotiated - the six point plan calls for Russia's
withdrawal to the lines of August 7. If Russia shows it is
serious in the October 15 conference, then we can respond
seriously.
If they are non-compliant, then we still have something to
talk
about. However, if Russia wastes everyone's time with talk
of no fly zones and arms embargoes, then we'll know how to
respond to that as well. We will not accept arrangements
where South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Georgia are treated as
equals - they are not. Russia may be testing the limits of
the
international community to see whether it can turn the
meetings
into a circus. On the other hand, Russia itself may not know
what it wants.
¶7. (C) Denmark's Damsgaard opined that the issue of MAP
probably
will not be solved in December for either Georgia or Ukraine
and that there is a need to think constructively about how
to get around that problem. Estonian Political Director Kull
was also concerned about Georgia's prospects for MAP
in December, as some countries that had previously been
supportive
are now hesitant. A/S Fried said that MAP is the right thing
to do
and that the U.S. is supportive. Norwegian PolDir Ellefsen
mentioned
that there will probably be no agreement in December and that
the
allies will need to be creative, not confrontational. It is
also
important that Russia understand that its actions have
instilled
fear in its neighbors.
Belarus
--------
¶8. (C) E-PINE participants largely concurred that
notwithstanding
some positive developments in Belarus, the recent elections
were disappointing. A/S Fried noted the USG had responded
quickly
to the release of political prisoners by temporarily lifting
the sanctions on some companies and sending DAS Merkel to
Minsk. Pavilionis thought that isolating the regime too much
would be a strategic mistake; most other e-PINE countries
supported
limited engagement with civil society groups, the opposition,
and
mid-level officials as a means to break Belarusian isolation.
All thought that it was important to offer Belarus
alternatives to
dependence on Russia, but were hesitant to do much more for
fear of
rewarding bad behavior.
Ukraine
--------
¶9. (C) The Ukraine discussion focused on continued domestic
political turmoil, the need for reform, and the potential
for instability in Crimea. Damsgaard noted that Ukraine
needs to realize there is more to democracy than holding
free and fair elections, adding that the GOU's constant
internal power struggles undermined effective governance.
Turning to the issue of NATO membership, A/S Fried pointed
out that although Ukraine is ambivalent about being issued
a MAP, its increasing engagement with the EU is a good thing.
He expressed concern about possible Russian subversion in
Crimea,
adding that there is a need for more social programs
and investment there and the Russians should not be allowed
to
operate freely. Lyrvall suggested that although getting
observers
into Crimea would be very difficult, it would not be a bad
idea
to set up EU information offices to get visitors into the
area.
Pavilionis continued to urge MAP for Ukraine, fearing
that talk of compromise at this stage would leave ministers
nothing to discuss in December.
Moldova
--------
¶10. (C) Vierros began the discussion on Moldova, saying that
the OSCE's overall objective at present is formal 5 2
negotiations. Romania would like to be integrated into the
format, but its participation should be channeled through
the EU. Russian influence in Transnistria is increasing
and they are trying to re-launch their 2003 federation plan.
A/S Fried said that Moldova should not feel compelled to
adopt
a plan that is bad for the country, reiterating USG support
for the 5 2 talks. The Moldovan constitution ensures
neutrality
and the USG is not needed as a guarantor of that. If that is
what Moldova wants, then it is their choice; neutrality is no
hindrance to bilateral cooperation. Lyrvall noted that the
EU needs
to make Moldova an attractive option for Transnistria and
that
the EU can be helpful in that regard through an enhanced
agreement and confidence-building measures. Pavilionis
thought
that Moldova is a partial success and that now is the time
for
the EU to get serious and complete its mandate, to prolong
EUBAM
and develop its role. The EU also needs to be ready to
develop
a civilian mission there.
Iraq
----
¶11. (C) Estonia's Kull led off the Iraq discussion, noting
that
the on-going conflict is a challenge to trans-Atlantic
relations,
counter-terrorism efforts, and Muslim-Christian relations.
He
was pleased the GOI is more able to control the security
situation
now, but questioned how it will do when the number of foreign
troops decreases. The Maliki government's pressure to limit
foreign
troops is creating problems reaching agreement on the SOFA
and
he expressed hope that this will be resolved by the end of
the year.
A/S Fried thanked the e-PINE countries for their various
contributions.
Afghanistan
-----------
¶12. (C) Ellefsen led the discussion, noting the increasing
pessimism in Kabul, which he said pointed to the need for
stronger government institutions and more coordination.
A/S Fried said that there are a number of problems that
must be tackled including better civil-military coordination
and the need for a stronger coalition. He emphasized the need
to support the Afghan military as it expands and that the USG
has asked most of the e-PINE countries to contribute to that
effort. We appreciate the efforts of contributors and know
that there are many challenges ahead. Lithuania agreed with
A/S Fried's assessment of the situation and thanked the U.S.
for its assistance with their PRT in Ghor Province and the
Swedes for their assistance on the Herat road feasibility
study.
Participants
-------------
¶13. (U) Participants:
Denmark
¶A. Carsten Damsgaard Political Director
William Boe Deputy Director,
European Neighborhood and Russia Dept.
Estonia
Clyde Kull Political Director
Jaan Salulaid Counselor
Finland
Pilvi-Sisko Vierros Political Director
Sari Rautio First Secretary
Iceland
Nikilas Hannigan Deputy Political Director
Latvia
Peteris Ustubs Political Director
Kristaps Brusbardis European Correspondent
Lithuania
Zygimantas Pavilionis Political Director
Egidijus Navikas European Correspondent
Norway
Vegard Ellefsen Political Director
Stephanie Bjoro Senior Executive Officer
Sweden
Bjorn Lyrvall Director-General for Political Affairs
Anna Hammarlund Blixt European Correspondent
United States
Daniel Fried Assistant Secretary for European
and Eurasian Affairs
Joseph Boski Political Officer, Embassy Vilnius
Julie-Anne Peterson e-PINE Coordinator, EUR/NB
RICE