PORTUGAL: NOT READY TO PRESS ON SOUTH OSSETIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000933 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016 TAGS: PBTS PREL OSCE PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: NOT READY TO PRESS ON SOUTH OSSETIA REF: SECSTATE 80908 Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On May 22, Polecon Off delivered reftel demarche to MFA Russian Affairs Officer Ana Paula Moriera. While she acknowledged that Russia had been practicing a creeping influence policy, Moriera said the EU and OSCE messages urging restraint were probably sufficient given the sensitivities of the issue. She noted that the situation was a delicate balance between the Georgian government and South Ossetians and argued that any NATO collective or individual member action to restrain Russia would only destabilize that balance. ¶2. (C) Moriera stated that she personally doubted Portugal would be interested in pressing Russia at this time. While she recognized Russia's positive influence on Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations, she stressed that the issues, and therefore Russia's response, was significantly different vis--vis South Ossetia. She mentioned that Russia was likely to continue its efforts to control the area through economic deals even if forced out politically. According to Moriera, the EU does not anticipate raising South Ossetia at the upcoming EU-Russia meeting, in part because EU members want to avoid pressing Russia on this undefined issue. ¶3. (C) Finally, Moriera underscored the need to focus development efforts in South Ossetia as a means of diffusing tensions. She hoped Russia would continue to participate in development efforts, but do so in a broader international development effort. Russia needs to be a more reliable international partner that will match its stated policy with transparent action, according to Moriera. O'Neal