AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON NEW DEFENSE MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001712

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR JENSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV RO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON NEW DEFENSE MINISTER

REF: A. BUCHAREST 01450

B. BUCHAREST 01600

C. BUCHAREST 01644

Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Tanoue for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).


1. (C) Ambassador paid a courtesy call on November 7 to new
Defense Minister Sorin Frunzaverde, who replaced Teodor
Antanasiu. Note: Atanasiu's relationship to a domestic
spying scandal led to his suspension on September 12, and was
followed by his resignation on October 25 (reftels). end
note. Frunzaverde said that,from his previous position as
the Director for International Affairs for the Democratic
Party (PD),Frunzaverde was well aware of who are Romania's
friends and what they have done. Romania would not be in
NATO or in the EU without U.S. support. He assured the
Ambassador that under his tenure, Romania would fulfill its
multilateral obligations, especially in the Global War on
Terrorism. Also that Romania would fulfill its commitments in
Iraq and Afghanistan; a position that has President Basescu's
full support. He noted that he had seen U.S.-Romania
military cooperation first hand in Kandahar and was convinced
that Romania must stand by the U.S. against the terrorists.
"You will have an ally," he emphasized. He added that the
comments made by the previous defense minister about a
possible withdrawal from Iraq by Romania were regrettable and
a "stupid mistake."


2. (C) In terms of his policy priorities, Frunzaverde
indicated that he had several major projects, including
procurement programs that would have affect the three
services (army, navy and air force) that he planned to raise
with the Finance Minister next week. He hoped to share more
information on these projects in the days ahead. He
underscored that the U.S. would be an important partner in
these programs. Frunzaverde made a particular appeal for an
F-16 program for Romania, and looked forward to working
closely with the U.S. on this system. He added that Romania
would also want to take part in the JSF program.


3. (C) Regarding the interplay of political forces,
Frunzaverde noted that Romania and the U.S. have a solid
partnership and he will keep it as it is. He considered
(without elaboration) that perhaps Romania may need to take
more steps in strengthening the partnership. Frunzaverde
noted that "America, not Germany and not France," was vital
to Romania's future. Finally Frunzaverde expressed strong
interest in a trip to Washington at the earliest possibility.
Frunzaverde's aide Brigadier General Viorel Angelescu said,
if possible, a formal invitation from Washington for an
official visit would be much appreciated.


4. (C) Comment: Frunzaverde is a substantial and energetic
improvement over his predecessor. When asked whether he
would be empowered to negotiate and sign the Implementing
Arrangements on U.S. Forces in Romania for example,
Frunzaverde said he would check on this. Not only has
Frunzaverde hit the ground running, and has made clear his
intention to keep the U.S.-Romanian defense partnership
strong, but he also wants to strengthen the partnership. He
appears to recognize the limitations in some of what he would
like for Romania, such as the need to build Romania's
capacity to manage complex system like the F-16, before
acquisition. He will continue to press to bring Romania's
military into the 21st century as quickly as possible. We
will need to continue to manage some of the more ambitious
components of the U.S.-Romanian partnership through
substantial and meaningful training opportunities and
broadening the range of programs for building Romania's
defense capacity. End Comment.
Taubman