ROMANIA TO APPROACH GREEKS ON CFE ENTITLEMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001637 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/RPM FOR LAURENDEAU/STERLING E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016 TAGS: KCFE PREL MARR PARM RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA TO APPROACH GREEKS ON CFE ENTITLEMENTS REF: BUCHAREST 1576 Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Tanoue, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Following up on Reftel demarche, polmiloff learned on October 24, from MFA Director for Arms Control Dan Neculeascu and CFE Desk Officer Dana Marca that GOR has agreed to demarche Athens on obtaining the ACV entitlements. Neculeascu said the MFA is drafting the instructions today to instruct their Ambassador in Athens to approach the issue at a senior level. He cautioned that this meeting will be exploratory to determine how much the Greeks would be willing to discuss and to set the tone for further possible discussions on the issue. Neculeascu added that the MFA will leave the timing of the approach to their ambassador (a former ambassador to Turkey and well-versed in CFE). However, they expect the demarche to be delivered by next week. The MFA acknowledged the short time frame, but underscored the sensitivity of the subject and the importance of stepping gingerly so as not to upset their Greek and Turkish bilateral relations. ¶2. (C) Comment: The MFA agreed to stay in close touch on the issue and to continue to collaborate and explore ways to work together to address the Flank Entitlement issue. Neculeascu asked that we share any information obtained from Sofia on this issue, and emphasized the importance that there is close consultation and coordination at NATO/HLTF on all CFE issues that have particular sensitivity for Russia. End Comment. Taubman