Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05LJUBLJANA764
2005-10-28 07:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000764
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL SI BO
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ON BELARUS POLICY
REF: STATE 188900
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000764
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL SI BO
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ON BELARUS POLICY
REF: STATE 188900
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Slovenia currently has a significant (for
its size) commercial relationship with Belarus totaling
around USD 30 million in trade; politically, relations are
cool. The Government of Slovenia (GOS) agrees that it is
important for the US and EU to have a coordinated approach to
Belarus, and that getting Moscow constructively on board is
key to success of our policy. The GOS thinks funding Russian
or Ukrainian NGOs working in Belarus might be a promising
avenue for influencing civil society in Belarus. End Summary.
--------------
A History of Cooperation
--------------
2. (C) Pol/Econ Chief met with the Director of the Bureau
of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ada Filip-Slivnik October
25 to discuss reftel points. Filip-Slivnik has spent much of
her career, including seven years in Moscow, focused on the
USSR, Russia and the CIS. She explained that during USSR and
Yugoslavia years, Slovenia had a close, cooperative
relationship with Belarus. Slovenia had wanted to create a
partnership with Estonia, but when that was not permitted by
Moscow, it decided to partner with Belarus. Filip-Slivnik
said that at that time (1980s),Slovenia and Belarus were
both the most developed regions of their respective
federations and the partnership made political and economic
sense. According to Filip-Slivnik, through a state
administered bartering plan Belarus and Slovenia enjoyed
around USD 20 million in trade annually. This relationship
continued until 1991, when they each gained independence.
For the next few years the political exchanges fell off as
the new countries grappled with their respective transitions.
3. (C) By the mid 90s, contacts had been renewed, and
Filip-Slivnik, who was posted to Moscow at the time, had
great hopes for the Lukashenko government. She said that
Slovenia saw him initially as someone "new" and "better" than
the old party hacks still in power. He had been a vocal
member of the anti-corruption committee in parliament which
suggested to her at that time that he would bring Belarus
closer to the west. These days, the GOS studiously avoids
high-level political contacts. Lukashenko has attempted to
attract a high-level visitor from Ljubljana using the premise
of OSCE discussions. When it became clear to the GOS,
however, that the Belarussians were more interested in a
bilateral agenda, Slovene FM Rupel (and OSCE Chairman in
Office) canceled his travel plans. Politics aside, the
commercial relationship remains important. Through its
generic drug manufacturer, Krka, engineering and construction
contracts, Slovenia enjoys around USD 30 million in trade
with Belarus. (Note: Lukashenko, did enjoy a private skiing
vacation in Slovenia last winter and managed a meeting with
former Slovene President Milan Kucan.)
--------------
Advancing the Democracy Agenda
--------------
4. (C) In engaging on our democracy and civil society
agenda, Filip-Slivnik suggested going through Ukrainian or
Russian NGOs working in Belarus. She thought the Belarus
government would be too suspicious of NGOs from the Baltics
or other western countries, but NGOs from its neighbors might
at least be allowed to operate. She suggested focusing first
on environment or health issues. Filip-Slivnik also
mentioned the Forum of Slavic Cultures which Slovenia
established several years ago but which has languished under
the direction of the Ministry of Culture. Responsibility for
this project has recently been relocated to the MFA. While
current EU policy prohibits Slovenia from inviting the Govt.
of Belarus to participate in its programs, Filip-Slivnik
thought there might be possibilities for engaging civil
society. Filip-Slivnik also agreed that getting the Russians
on board would be key.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) As with Russia, Slovenia enjoyed a warm and
cooperative relationship with Belarus during Yugoslav years.
Lukashenko's meeting last year with former President Kucan
was the product of pressure from Slovenians with strong
business ties in Belarus and, while not formally sponsored by
the then-government showed that the GOS was prepared to look
the other way and not block a very unfortunate visit. We
believe the current government will generally be more
receptive to the need not to cater to Belarus shenanigans.
OSCE CiO and FM Rupel's cancellation of his trip to Belarus
when they tried to turn his OSCE visit into a bilateral visit
is a case in point. Based on Slovenia's generally good trade
ties with Belarus, and the new Government's understanding of
the need to hold the GOB's feet to the fire, we think
Slovenians (not just GOS) might potentially provide a conduit
to encourage Lukashenko's departure.
ROBERTSON
NNNN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PREL SI BO
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ON BELARUS POLICY
REF: STATE 188900
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Slovenia currently has a significant (for
its size) commercial relationship with Belarus totaling
around USD 30 million in trade; politically, relations are
cool. The Government of Slovenia (GOS) agrees that it is
important for the US and EU to have a coordinated approach to
Belarus, and that getting Moscow constructively on board is
key to success of our policy. The GOS thinks funding Russian
or Ukrainian NGOs working in Belarus might be a promising
avenue for influencing civil society in Belarus. End Summary.
--------------
A History of Cooperation
--------------
2. (C) Pol/Econ Chief met with the Director of the Bureau
of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ada Filip-Slivnik October
25 to discuss reftel points. Filip-Slivnik has spent much of
her career, including seven years in Moscow, focused on the
USSR, Russia and the CIS. She explained that during USSR and
Yugoslavia years, Slovenia had a close, cooperative
relationship with Belarus. Slovenia had wanted to create a
partnership with Estonia, but when that was not permitted by
Moscow, it decided to partner with Belarus. Filip-Slivnik
said that at that time (1980s),Slovenia and Belarus were
both the most developed regions of their respective
federations and the partnership made political and economic
sense. According to Filip-Slivnik, through a state
administered bartering plan Belarus and Slovenia enjoyed
around USD 20 million in trade annually. This relationship
continued until 1991, when they each gained independence.
For the next few years the political exchanges fell off as
the new countries grappled with their respective transitions.
3. (C) By the mid 90s, contacts had been renewed, and
Filip-Slivnik, who was posted to Moscow at the time, had
great hopes for the Lukashenko government. She said that
Slovenia saw him initially as someone "new" and "better" than
the old party hacks still in power. He had been a vocal
member of the anti-corruption committee in parliament which
suggested to her at that time that he would bring Belarus
closer to the west. These days, the GOS studiously avoids
high-level political contacts. Lukashenko has attempted to
attract a high-level visitor from Ljubljana using the premise
of OSCE discussions. When it became clear to the GOS,
however, that the Belarussians were more interested in a
bilateral agenda, Slovene FM Rupel (and OSCE Chairman in
Office) canceled his travel plans. Politics aside, the
commercial relationship remains important. Through its
generic drug manufacturer, Krka, engineering and construction
contracts, Slovenia enjoys around USD 30 million in trade
with Belarus. (Note: Lukashenko, did enjoy a private skiing
vacation in Slovenia last winter and managed a meeting with
former Slovene President Milan Kucan.)
--------------
Advancing the Democracy Agenda
--------------
4. (C) In engaging on our democracy and civil society
agenda, Filip-Slivnik suggested going through Ukrainian or
Russian NGOs working in Belarus. She thought the Belarus
government would be too suspicious of NGOs from the Baltics
or other western countries, but NGOs from its neighbors might
at least be allowed to operate. She suggested focusing first
on environment or health issues. Filip-Slivnik also
mentioned the Forum of Slavic Cultures which Slovenia
established several years ago but which has languished under
the direction of the Ministry of Culture. Responsibility for
this project has recently been relocated to the MFA. While
current EU policy prohibits Slovenia from inviting the Govt.
of Belarus to participate in its programs, Filip-Slivnik
thought there might be possibilities for engaging civil
society. Filip-Slivnik also agreed that getting the Russians
on board would be key.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) As with Russia, Slovenia enjoyed a warm and
cooperative relationship with Belarus during Yugoslav years.
Lukashenko's meeting last year with former President Kucan
was the product of pressure from Slovenians with strong
business ties in Belarus and, while not formally sponsored by
the then-government showed that the GOS was prepared to look
the other way and not block a very unfortunate visit. We
believe the current government will generally be more
receptive to the need not to cater to Belarus shenanigans.
OSCE CiO and FM Rupel's cancellation of his trip to Belarus
when they tried to turn his OSCE visit into a bilateral visit
is a case in point. Based on Slovenia's generally good trade
ties with Belarus, and the new Government's understanding of
the need to hold the GOB's feet to the fire, we think
Slovenians (not just GOS) might potentially provide a conduit
to encourage Lukashenko's departure.
ROBERTSON
NNNN