Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LJUBLJANA563
2006-08-31 16:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EU FOREIGN MINISTERS AND IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO0577 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0563 2431626 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 311626Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5123 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USVIENNA
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000563
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PGOV PREL IR SI
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EU FOREIGN MINISTERS AND IRAN
REF: SECSTATE 143323
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000563
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PGOV PREL IR SI
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EU FOREIGN MINISTERS AND IRAN
REF: SECSTATE 143323
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) PolMilOff delivered reftel points urging Slovenia to
support a strong EU message on Iran to MFA Department of
Security Policy Officer Bostjan Jerman on August 31. Jerman
thanked PolMilOff for the points, said that he had received
something similar from the EU Troika on August 30, and
promised to relay them to the Head of the Security Policy
Department and on to the Foreign Minister in preparation for
the EU Ministerial September 1-2 in Lapeenranta, Finland.
2. (C) Jerman commented that he expected the European
perspective to be less strong than that of the U.S. In the
context of the discussion, Jerman discussed the August 27-28
visit of International Atomic Energy Agency Secretary General
Mohamad El Baradei to Slovenia. He said that during the
visit El Baradei made the argument that a slow, diplomatic
approach is the correct path to take with Iran, to give
moderates the space to negotiate. In contrast, a fast track
to sanctions would play into the hands of Iranian
conservatives and ensure that a negotiated settlement is not
reached. Jerman said that El Baradei is concerned that Iran
will "become another North Korea" if diplomatic negotiations
do not work. After his meeting with El Baradei, Prime
Minister Janez Jansa's public statements reflected this
viewpoint. He said that the response from Iran was "by no
means a step back" and left the door open for continued
negotiations.
3. (C) COMMENT. While Jerman clearly understood and agreed
with the substance of the reftel points, it is clear that
Slovenia will come to the EU Ministerial with a cautious
approach that continues to focus on "carrots" with only the
threat of "sticks." The GoS position is likely to reflect
that of the EU Troika; it is unlikely that the GoS will
forcefully advocate for a fast or strong message to Iran at
the September 1-2 ministerial. END COMMENT.
ROBERTSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PGOV PREL IR SI
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EU FOREIGN MINISTERS AND IRAN
REF: SECSTATE 143323
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) PolMilOff delivered reftel points urging Slovenia to
support a strong EU message on Iran to MFA Department of
Security Policy Officer Bostjan Jerman on August 31. Jerman
thanked PolMilOff for the points, said that he had received
something similar from the EU Troika on August 30, and
promised to relay them to the Head of the Security Policy
Department and on to the Foreign Minister in preparation for
the EU Ministerial September 1-2 in Lapeenranta, Finland.
2. (C) Jerman commented that he expected the European
perspective to be less strong than that of the U.S. In the
context of the discussion, Jerman discussed the August 27-28
visit of International Atomic Energy Agency Secretary General
Mohamad El Baradei to Slovenia. He said that during the
visit El Baradei made the argument that a slow, diplomatic
approach is the correct path to take with Iran, to give
moderates the space to negotiate. In contrast, a fast track
to sanctions would play into the hands of Iranian
conservatives and ensure that a negotiated settlement is not
reached. Jerman said that El Baradei is concerned that Iran
will "become another North Korea" if diplomatic negotiations
do not work. After his meeting with El Baradei, Prime
Minister Janez Jansa's public statements reflected this
viewpoint. He said that the response from Iran was "by no
means a step back" and left the door open for continued
negotiations.
3. (C) COMMENT. While Jerman clearly understood and agreed
with the substance of the reftel points, it is clear that
Slovenia will come to the EU Ministerial with a cautious
approach that continues to focus on "carrots" with only the
threat of "sticks." The GoS position is likely to reflect
that of the EU Troika; it is unlikely that the GoS will
forcefully advocate for a fast or strong message to Iran at
the September 1-2 ministerial. END COMMENT.
ROBERTSON