MOLDOVA/TRANSNISTRIA: DUTCH RESPONSE ON STABILITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001484 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2014 TAGS: PREL PARM PBTS MD NL OSCE SUBJECT: MOLDOVA/TRANSNISTRIA: DUTCH RESPONSE ON STABILITY PACT REF: STATE 130336 Classified By: Political Counselor M. Daly for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Emboffs delivered reftel demarche June 15 to Frank van Beuningen, MFA OSCE policy coordinator, Willemijn Kallenberg MFA OSCE senior policy advisor, and Bas Wels, MFA lead on East European issues during the Dutch EU presidency. ¶2. (C) Before we presented our points, the Dutch noted similar concerns as in reftel. They called the Moldovan proposal vague and said they were uncertain as to what the GoM wanted to achieve with it. They found it "most striking" that the proposal addresses an internal problem by presenting a plan to external partners. The Dutch believe that the GoM should begin by addressing Transnistrian authorities rather than the international community. Given Russia's close ties with Transnistria, the Dutch found it odd that while appearing to circumvent the Transnistrians, the Moldovans have consulted with Russia. ¶3. (C) Despite the unorthodox approach, the Dutch think the basic Moldovan objective might be to "instill energy" to the five-sided negotiations, which they described as having come to a "full stop". The Dutch were surprised at the absence of mention of the OSCE, and wondered if what was envisioned was a two-track process or something to replace the existing process. They did not reject the possibility it would help the five-sided negotiations to move ahead, but added there is also the danger that Russia could use the proposal as additional reason for delay. ¶4. (C) The Dutch also believe it's possible that the proposal was simply a less than well-thought-out election ploy by President Voronin. The Dutch have the impression that Voronin did not even consult his own foreign ministry about the proposal before going public, let alone coordinate with other potential signatories. (They noted that a high-level Moldovan minister met with the Dutch the day the proposal was announced, and did not mention it to them.) ¶5. (C) Wels noted that the EU does not yet have a reaction to the U.S. proposal for a high-level meeting, but may reach a consensus by mid to late July. There is concern from some member states that the U.S. proposal could undermine the OSCE role, while others think it would be a boost for the existing process. The Dutch asked about the substance of the U.S. reply to the initial Moldovan draft, and whether the current draft reflected changes suggested by the U.S. Emboffs advised that the U.S. had not given an extensive commentary on the text, but rather that we had urged the GoM to consult with others. SOBEL