MOLDOVA/TRANSNISTRIA: DISCUSSION WITH DUTCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001975 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2014 TAGS: PREL PBTS MD NL SUBJECT: MOLDOVA/TRANSNISTRIA: DISCUSSION WITH DUTCH A/POLDIR REF: A. STATE 169792 ¶B. A/S JONES EMAIL OF 08/05/04 Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CDA DANIEL R. RUSSEL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B an d D) ¶1. (C) Charge reviewed ref A points with Dutch MFA Acting Political Director Herman Schaper on August 6. Schaper has instructed the German Embassy in Chisinau (as local EU representative) and the Dutch Embassy in Kiev to address these points with the Moldovans and the Ukrainians respectively, and to coordinate with local U.S. Missions. Schaper said EU DG Robert Cooper would be in Chisinau on Monday, August 9, to meet with the Moldovans. Cooper will be accompanied by Kees van Rij from his office and a representative from Schaper's office in MFA. While Schaper acknowledged the U.S. suggestion to go back to the Russians and urge convening of "pentagonal talks" (ref B),he said that he did not think such a reclama would work. Accordingly, DG Cooper will meet with the Russians in Moldova on behalf of the EU. ¶2. (C) Concerning possible U.S. and EU statements, Schaper said the EU visa ban is under silence that he thought would not conclude until Wednesday, August 11, so there was time to exchange drafts. He also thought the EU would lean towards separate, coordinated statements rather than a joint one. Regarding the Ukrainians, Schaper said the Dutch had picked up at the OSCE that the Kuchma had allegedly offered a deal to Smirnov in which the Ukrainians would not enforce the customs ban on Transnistrian goods without Moldovan customs seals if the Transnistrians would unblock rail traffic to Moldova. RUSSEL