LATVIAN VIEWS ON POSSIBILITY OF EU/RUSSIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000698 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2011 TAGS: PREL MOPS EUN RU LG SUBJECT: LATVIAN VIEWS ON POSSIBILITY OF EU/RUSSIA COOPERATION ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT Classified By: Charge d'affaires a.i. Phillip L. Antweiler. Reason: 1. 4 (D) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with pol/econ chief August 28 on other issues, Latvian MFA PolDir Ilgvars Klava raised the topic of ongoing discussions in the EU on potential joint peacekeeping efforts with Russia. According to Klava, this topic would be discussed at the September 1 - 2 Gymnich. Klava said that Germany, especially PolDir Michael Schaeffer, is very supportive of this idea and pushing actively for the EU to move forward. Klava said that when he first briefed Latvian FM Pabriks on the idea, the minister was quite negative, but, after further briefings, now thought the idea might be worth exploring. Accordingly, Latvia remains open to the idea, while, according to Klava, Lithuania is strongly opposed. At Pabriks' request, GOL officials are quietly consulting with Georgian and Moldovan officials to get their views, as Latvia believes these are the two most likely sites for implementation of this concept if it develops further. Klava reported that Moldovan officials were initially skeptical, but after additional consideration said they would reserve judgment to see how the concept developed as they could see some value to it. He did not have a report from Tbilisi. Klava handed pol/econ chief a copy of the EU non-paper entitled "RUSSIA - HR mandate to explore new options for crisis management co-operation with Russia" that is serving as the basis of EU internal discussion. ¶2. (C) Comment: We are not in a position to evaluate the concept, simply to report on the briefing from the GOL. That said, we believe Klava raised the issue with us to gauge our reaction. The PM's foreign policy advisor has also sought our views on this matter. If there is guidance on a U.S. position on this concept we would welcome it so that we can pass it to the GOL. Antweiler