ROMANIAN ENTHUSIASM FOR PSI OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - AND CONTINUED CONCERNS ABOUT BLACKSEAFOR EXPANSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000477

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2015
TAGS: MARR, MASS, MNUC, PARM, PGOV, PREL, PINS, TU, GG, RS, BU, UP, RO, NATO
SUBJECT: ROMANIAN ENTHUSIASM FOR PSI OPERATIONAL SUPPORT -
AND CONTINUED CONCERNS ABOUT BLACKSEAFOR EXPANSION

REF: A. STATE 24827
B. BUCHAREST 229
C. BUCHAREST 308 (AND PREVIOUS)

Classified By: Political Section Chief Robert S. Gilchrist for Reasons
1.4 A, B and D

1. (C) Summary. The GOR will likely welcome active
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)-related cooperation
on operational activities and exercises, especially to the
extent that operations focus on the Black Sea region, which
is a central focus of Romanian foreign policy concerns. The
MFA provided us a readout on a recent BLACKSEAFOR meeting in
Istanbul in which Russia and Turkey strongly supported
expansion of BLACKSEAFOR's operational capacities. The GOR
would welcome USG input on how best to respond to Russian and
Turkish plans to expand the mandate and operational capacity
of BLACKSEAFOR, given Romania's strong preference for U.S.
and NATO leadership on Black Sea security issues. End
Summary.

2. (C) PolMilOff discussed possible Romanian operational
support for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
during a February 22 meeting with MFA NATO Division Director
Mirela Maghiar. (Ref A) During that meeting, we underscored
that the USG would welcome Romania's participation in the
development of Black Sea regional exercises to support the
PSI and observed that conclusion of a bilateral ship boarding
agreement would be an important additional step the GOR could
take to prepare effectively for maritime interdiction
cooperation. We also shared Ref A nonpaper with Maghiar, who
promised to provide copies to senior MFA and MOD officials.
(Post will also engage MOD to encourage active PSI-related
operational cooperation - as well as MFA-MOD coordination on
PSI issues.)

3. (C) Maghiar responded enthusiastically, observing that
"this is a way to express support for PSI" and stressing that
our demarche "comes at a good time" in light of increased
Romanian interest in cooperation with the USG on Black Sea
regional security issues. (Ref B) She promised that our
nonpaper would receive "serious consideration" at a senior
level and that a definitive response from the GOR should be
forthcoming. Maghiar stated that our request for Romanian
operational support for PSI would gibe with Romanian efforts
to "operationalize" the Border Defense Initiative (BDI) for
the Black Sea region, opining that the BDI would be one way
to "support the goals of PSI on a regional level."

Expanding BLACKSEAFOR's Mission?
--------------
4. (C) In a February 18 meeting, Maghiar provided a readout
of a February 2-4 "BLACKSEAFOR consultation" in Istanbul,
which included representatives from Romania, Russia, Turkey,
Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia. Maghiar stated that Russia
and Turkey have expressed strong support for an "operational
focus" for BLACKSEAFOR, to include "gradual development of
anti-terrorism activities." Maghiar stated that Russia
"wants to boost naval capacities under the shield of
BLACKSEAFOR...opposes BLACKSEAFOR cooperation with other
multilateral programs...and is against participation of
non-littoral states in BLACKSEAFOR activities." Maghiar said
that while Turkey fully supports an expanded BLACKSEAFOR role
it also seeks to "increase cooperation with NATO" - but
"gradually...in order to avoid conflict with Russia."

5. (C) Maghiar stated that Romania continues its efforts to
form a "common approach" with NATO allies Bulgaria and Turkey
on Black Sea issues, to include creation of a Black Sea Task
Force. (Ref C) Romania (and Bulgaria) continue to oppose
expanding BLACKSEAFOR as envisioned by Russia and Turkey. At
the same time, Maghiar observed, the GOR "runs the risk of
being isolated at a regional level by the Turkish and Russian
condominium" in the Black Sea. Consequently, she continued,
Romania (and Bulgaria) have expressed an interest in joining
Operation Black Sea Harmony, which Turkey "wants to expand
and eventually merge with BLACKSEAFOR." Maghiar summed up
GOR concerns by observing that "we are searching for ways to
stay inside the regional process (BLACKSEAFOR and Operation
Black Sea Harmony) while keeping the door open for NATO"
through a Black Sea Task Force comprised of Romania, Bulgaria
and Turkey. Maghiar concluded that the GOR would welcome USG
"guidance and feedback" on how best to participate in
BLACKSEAFOR.

6. (C) Comment. The GOR is likely to enthusiastically
support PSI operational efforts in the Black Sea region. The
GOR has publicly and unequivocally expressed support for the
PSI and GOR interlocutors have consistently expressed a
willingness to participate more fully in PSI activities.
Romanian support will be even more forthcoming to the extent
that PSI operational activities dovetail with the Border
Defense Initiative, Romania's proposed Black Sea Border
Security Initiative, and other efforts aimed at the Black Sea
region. In Embassy's view, the GOR would welcome detailed,
working level discussions on how it could support the PSI, to
include conclusion of a bilateral ship boarding agreement.
The GOR has consistently asked for USG input on how best to
respond to Russian and Turkish overtures regarding expansion
of BLACKSEAFOR. End Comment.

7. (U) Amembassy Bucharest's reporting telegrams are
available on the Bucharest SIPRNet website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest
DELARE