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

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