SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF SEPTEMBER 1-2 GYMNICH

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000620 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAL SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF SEPTEMBER 1-2 GYMNICH REF: STATE 153187 ¶1. Pol/Econ Chief discussed reftel points on August 25 with Peter Grk, the European Correspondent in the Dept. of European Integration and Economic Relations. Turkey: Grk said it would be hard to imagine that the EU would set new conditions at this point for opening talks with Turkey, but he did expect there to be some very lively debate. In a separate meeting on August 29 with visiting Senator Tom Harkin, FM Rupel predicted that linkage between Croatia and Turkey would be made and there would be some horse trading on the two accounts. Middle East: Slovenia is encouraged by the relative peacefulness of the Gaza pullout. Grk said Special Rep. Wolfensohn, who he described as "doing a great job" would be briefing the EU Gymnich on progress in the region. Western Balkans: Grk said that Kosovo would dominate the Western Balkans discussion and he expected Croatia would come up as well. He said Slovenia was "on the same page" as the U.S. vis a vis the ICTY and Gotovina, Mladic and Karadzic. Iraq: While Iraq was not on the Gymnich agenda, Grk expects it will come up, given the informal nature of these meetings. Iran: Grk suggested Iran would be a key topic in Wales and beyond - he thinks it will dominate the Autumn agenda particularly since Iran did not accept the EU's recent offer on Iran's nuclear program. COLEMAN NNNN 2005LJUBLJ00620 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED v1.6.2