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