ESTONIA: GAERC DEMARCHE

UNCLAS TALLINN 000659 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN EUN YI MW SR BO IR IZ KPAL SU CG, EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA: GAERC DEMARCHE Ref: STATE 114605 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Deputy European Correspondent Kristel Kase told us on June 14 that the June GAERC meeting would be dominated by the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon and Gaza (with Iraq and Bosnia being bumped from the agenda to free up more time). Kase also briefed us on the Council's pre-Gaerc discussions on Sudan, Congo, Macedonia, Kosovo, and the WTO. End Summary. Middle East and Africa -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The GOE condemns the current violence in Lebanon and Gaza, and encourages all partners to return to the negotiation table. The Council will adopt separate Conclusions that will most likely follow the Finnish Presidency declaration on Israel's need to restrain itself with a more "proportionate use of force." On Iran, Kase said that the Council would adopt Conclusions, though no text has been circulated as everyone was waiting for the G8 Conclusions. ¶4. (SBU) On Sudan, the GOE now supports transferring AMIS responsibilities to the UN. Estonia has also increased its own bilateral humanitarian aid to Sudan over the last three years, and will increase its aid to 800,000 EEK ($64,000) for Darfur refugees this year. On the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kase said that the GOE will support the EU's election observation team by sending one long-term and two to three mid-term election monitors. Balkans -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On Macedonia, the GOE supports the EU common position, and will press for progress on a Community Treaty on energy security. However, Kase said that the GOE hopes that the Government of Macedonia will continue with its much needed reforms. On Kosovo, the GOE continues to support UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari. As the EU will be expanding its role in Kosovo, Kase said that it is "crucial for the Serbs and the Albanians to agree on the way forward." WTO --- ¶5. (SBU) EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will give a "state-of-play" presentation to the Council. The GOE fully supports the Commission's position, but said that Estonia would support an extraordinary GAERC meeting on the matter if needed to ensure Doha's success. While Estonia still hopes for an agreement, there is a real sense that failure is becoming likelier as time passes. WOS