CODEL KOLBE THANKS ANSIP FOR SUPPORT IN IRAQ AND

UNCLAS TALLINN 000784

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
CODEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS ENRG CVIS RS EN
SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE THANKS ANSIP FOR SUPPORT IN IRAQ AND
AFGANISTAN


1. (U) Summary. During a meeting in Tallinn on August 24, a
congressional delegation led by House Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Chairman James
Kolbe(R-AZ) thanked Prime Minister Andrus Ansip for Estonia's
support for the Global War on Terror. PM Ansip said Estonian troops
will continue to serve in Iraq. PM Ansip and the Congressmen also
discussed energy issues, Russia, and the Visa Waiver Program. The
delegation, which included Representatives Frederick Upton (R-MI),
Brian Baird (D-WA),and Alexander Crenshaw (R-FL) also attended an
American Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. End
Summary.

War on Terror


2. (SBU) Chairman Kolbe began the meeting with PM Ansip by thanking
Estonia for its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. PM Ansip, who
has himself visited Iraq, noted that Estonia feels both an
obligation and a national interested to serve in Iraq and will
continue to do so. He stated that Estonian soldiers consider it the
highlight of their military careers to serve in Iraq alongside
American troops.

Energy


3. (SBU) In response to an inquiry from Congressman Kolbe, PM Ansip
explained that Estonia is not as dependent on unreliable Russian
energy supplies as are some other countries in the region. Estonia
has the capability to produce 100% of its electricity from
locally-mined oil shale. In fact, Estonia currently exports
electricity to Latvia, Lithuania, and soon to Finland via a new
underwater cable. While Estonia does import some natural gas from
Russia, this is used to meet only about 10% of Estonia's heating
requirements. PM Ansip emphasized that Estonia is in no way
dependent on Russian gas. Despite Estonia's fortuitous oil shale
reserves, PM Ansip confided that oil shale as an energy source may
encounter big problems under the Kyoto Protocol and EU environmental
regulations. The oil shale industry faces an uncertain future due
to the carbon dioxide emission regulations that will be in full
force after 2012. PM Ansip expressed Estonia's desire to ultimately
become part of an integrated Nordic and Western European power grid.


Russia


4. (SBU) PM Ansip explained to the Congressmen that deep problems
exist in the relationship between Estonia and Russia. For example,
PM Ansip noted, the border agreement between Russian and Estonia
remains unresolved. According to PM Ansip, the biggest issue
currently between the countries, however, is cooperation at the
border, where commercial trucks are currently facing lengthy border
crossing delays as the Russians thoroughly search each vehicle. PM
Ansip did not know the reason the Russians had adopted this approach
or if it was a deliberate attempt to impede trade. He did note that
since Estonia's accession to the EU in 1994, trade volume with
Russia has actually increased. Further, Estonia's accession to NATO
has helped stabilize the relationship between the countries as
Estonia now has less reason to be afraid of its northern neighbor.

Visa Waiver Program


5. (SBU) PM Ansip expressed his frustration that Estonia is not yet
eligible for the Visa Waiver Program due to its visa refusal rate.
In response to Chairman Kolbe's statement that tightened visa
restrictions are due in part to post-9/11 security concerns, PM
Ansip commented that Estonia is part of the solution, not part of
the problem; concerns about terrorism should not prejudice Estonia's
chances to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. PM Ansip
encouraged the Congressmen to support legislation that would help
make it easier for new EU member states like Estonia to enter the
Program, stating that the country's exclusion is a serious and
emotional issue for the Estonian public.

Meeting with Local Business Representatives


6. (U) Following the meeting with the PM Ansip, the delegation
attended an American Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event.
The delegation immediately engaged with the local business
community and was reluctant to leave the event, which the
Congressmen deemed very worthwhile.


7. (U) Codel Kolbe did not have the opportunity to clear this cable
before their departure from Tallinn.

Goldstein