Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LJUBLJANA354
2006-06-07 05:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:  

SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE JUNE 12 GAERC

Tags:  PREL KPAL SI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0995
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLJ #0354 1580521
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 070521Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4890
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000354 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/16
TAGS: PREL KPAL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE JUNE 12 GAERC

REF: SECSTATE 91167

Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Maryruth Coleman reason 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000354

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/16
TAGS: PREL KPAL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE JUNE 12 GAERC

REF: SECSTATE 91167

Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Maryruth Coleman reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Polecon Chief discussed reftel points with EU
Correspondent at the MFA, Peter Grk on June 7. Grk said
Slovenia was supportive of the transition from OHR to an EU
Representative in Bosnia and agreed with developing a
timeline which would have the transition completed in
mid-2007. The GOS also agrees that it is important to get
the Serbs to cooperate on the range of issues from separation
with Montenegro, cooperation in Kosovo and delivering Mladic
to the ICTY.


2. (C) Grk did not have a clear idea of the direction the
discussion on Iraq would take. The GOS is committed to the
programs in which it is already engaged in Iraq. Given
limited funds for bilateral and humanitarian assistance,
requests for Iraq will be competing with plans for work in
the Western Balkans, the European Neighborhood and other NATO
and EU initiatives. That said, the GOS is always prepared to
see if and where it can provide added value.


3. (C) With its UN Human Rights Council membership ambitions
in mind, Slovenia has been expanding the scope of its
activities on human rights issues. Cuba has not
traditionally been an area of significant activity for the
GOS, and it lacks representation there. However, the GOS
recognizes the importance the USG places on the civil and
human rights in Cuba. Grk thought that the EU common
position would not be much different from previous years and
predicted that concerns voiced by the Czechs would be
factored into the final product. Slovenia continues to cover
Cuba from its mission in Madrid, which tends also to inform
GOS views. (Comment. Traditional policy orientation
notwithstanding, recent engagement of the Slovene mission in
Washington on Cuba issues along with the belief that a
strongly pro-democracy attitude on Cuba is important (to the
US) vis a vis a seat on the UN Human Rights Council is having
a positive impact. End Comment)


4. (C) Grk said Slovenia and the EU viewed Palestinian
assistance the same as does the USG. He thought the
temporary international mechanism (TIM) would be ready to
roll out soon. He said they were also watching with interest
how Abbas' call for a referendum would develop.


5. (C) Grk expressed surprise that there were no points on
Iran this month. He said Slovenia was encouraged by recent
developments on the diplomatic front and was hopeful that
Iran would grab this opportunity to engage constructively
with the U.S. and EU.
COLEMAN