Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LONDON8279
2006-12-08 17:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy London
Cable title:  

UK VIEWS ON DECEMBER EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM KPAL EUN YI SR BK IS LE IR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0561
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHLO #8279 3421724
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 081724Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0865
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0394
RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 0301
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 008279 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KPAL EUN YI SR BK IS LE IR
TU, AF, UK
SUBJECT: UK VIEWS ON DECEMBER EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)

REF: A. STATE 195044


B. STATE 194456

Classified By: Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons 1.4 (B) an
d (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 008279

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KPAL EUN YI SR BK IS LE IR
TU, AF, UK
SUBJECT: UK VIEWS ON DECEMBER EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)

REF: A. STATE 195044


B. STATE 194456

Classified By: Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons 1.4 (B) an
d (D).


1. (SBU) The UK expects Turkey and the China Arms Embargo to
be the most "difficult" issues at the upcoming December GAERC
meeting, according to Martin Sherman, head of the FCO's EU
Coordination Office. PolCouns discussed the upcoming GAERC
with Sherman on December 7, who confirmed Foreign Secretary
Beckett would attend, and provided responses below to reftel
points.


2. (C) China Arms Embargo. The UK shares USG opposition to
lifting the current EU embargo. The UK is not expecting any
movement on either the embargo or on the EU Code of Conduct
(CoC),according to Sherman, who added that London is
frustrated the issues are on the agenda at all. The Finnish
Foreign Minister's personal interest in trying to move the
CoC forward before the Finnish presidency concludes was why
the issue is on the GAREC agenda, Sherman claimed, even
though Paris remains committed to its position that it will
not approve a revised CoC until the arms embargo on China is
lifted. The UK remains opposed to ending the embargo as do
"many other EU members," meaning, Sherman said, that there
will be heated discussion, but no action taken.


3. (C) Turkish Accession. The UK wants to keep the number of
chapters closed, as a result of Turkey's failure to honor its
commitments under the Additional Protocol, to as few as
possible, preferably three, but less than the eight chapters
recommended by the Commission. HMG agrees that imposing new
requirements for European Council action before any of the
affected chapters can be reopened would be counter-productive
and hand opponents of Turkish accession a "powerful tool."
Sherman said Turkey's recent announcement of plans to open
one port was a case of "too little, too late," and unlikely
to effect the GAERC discussions in any meaningful way.


4. (C) Kosovo: Sherman said that there was still solid, but
increasingly nervous, support for Ahtisaari's efforts. The
UK supported the decision to delay submission of final status
proposals to the parties until after the January 21 Serb
election, but does not want any further delays. Sherman said
that many EU members are growing worried about Moscow's
reaction to the expected proposals, especially if Belgrade
objects to them. Members are hearing "bad cop, good cop"
versions of Moscow's likely reaction depending on whom
Members engage with in the Russian Government. Despite this
nervousness, Sherman expected the GAERC to issue a "good
statement" in support of Ahtisaari and the process.


5. (C) Iran. Sherman did not expect much discussion on Iran
as the general view among Members is that "the main action
remains in New York." London does not think that there is
much to be gained from pushing for an official statement at
the GAERC, Sherman said, and does not intend to press for one.


6. (C) Lebanon/Israel/Palestinian Issues. There will be a
strong statement of support for the Siniora Government,
Sherman said. The UK goal for the discussion on
Israel/Palestine is to keep the EU agreed on the need to
build up good governance capabilities in West Bank/Gaza,
support the Gaza cease-fire declaration, and welcome PM
Olmert's agreement in principle to use Palestinian VAT
revenue transfers in support of limited humanitarian
projects, but with no weakening of the condition there must
be acceptance of the Quartet principles before direct EU
contacts resume with the Palestinian Authority. Sherman said
that several Members want to discuss stepping up Quartet
activity, which the UK does not oppose. On the Spanish
Mid-East Initiative, Sherman said that the UK was hoping it
would fade away from "quiet neglect."


7. (C) Afghanistan. EU assistance to Afghanistan is fixed
and cannot be changed, but the UK wants to explore at the
GAERC proposals on how to more effectively use the EU funds
allocated. Sherman said that the UK was holding off on any
decisions regarding police training until the return of an EU
team now on the ground that is examining police training
issues.




Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm
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