PUTIN-SAAKASHVILI TALKS: PRELIMINARY READOUTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 006341

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2016
TAGS: PREL ETRD MARR GG RS
SUBJECT: PUTIN-SAAKASHVILI TALKS: PRELIMINARY READOUTS

Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Kirk Augustine.
Reason 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Georgian DCM Shugarov and Russian MFA Caucasus
conflicts division chief Dvinyanin gave us preliminary
readouts of the June 13 discussion between Russian President
Putin and Georgian President Saakashvili in St. Petersburg.
They had received brief telephone readouts from their
respective superiors, both of whom had been in the meeting
and had not yet returned to Moscow.


2. (C) The meeting lasted over two hours, from nearly 11 PM
June 13 to 1 AM June 14, and was followed by a brief press
conference. Dvinyanin explained that the length of the
meeting did not necessarily reflect its content: Putin had
said he "likes to chat" with Misha. Both sides agreed the
atmosphere was positive. Shugarov said the Georgian reaction
was "cautious optimism." Dvinyanin said there were no "sharp
points." They also agreed, however, that no concrete issues
were resolved. The Russians had not acceded to Georgia's
desire for a statement in which Russia would recognize South
Ossetia as part of Georgia.


3. (C) Dvinyanin said most of the talks concerned trade
(though not specifically the ban on wine imports).
Saakashvili assured Putin that Russia would remain Georgia's
largest trading partner. Other topics, according to
Dvinyanin:

-- They agreed to set up a hot-line to prevent
misunderstandings (modalities to be determined).

-- Putin raised Russia's February proposal to set up an
anti-terrorism center on the site of the former Russian base
in Batumi. Georgia had not replied. Saakashvili undertook
to look into it.

-- Frozen conflicts were discussed in only general terms.

-- Saakashvili confirmed to Putin Georgia's desire to enter
NATO.


4. (U) The press conference proceeded without too many
barbs, though Putin cited Chechnya as a good example of the
resolution of separatist conflicts, and Saakashvili admitted
that Russia and Georgia were "doomed to good-neighborliness."
There was even an attempt at light-heartedness. Asked
whether Georgia and Russia had grown any closer, Putin
replied, "Not long ago I was in Sochi. There you can walk
right up to the border. How could you get any closer?"
Saakashvili added, "But there, the other side of the border
is Abkhazia. So if anyone had any doubts that that is
Georgia, Vladimir Vladimirovich has now dispelled them."
BURNS