ROMANIA: ON SEEKING REGIONAL SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW

S E C R E T BUCHAREST 000779 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/I LINNET AND NEA/ELA ALLEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: ON SEEKING REGIONAL SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ REF: STATE 92339 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin for reasons 1.4(b ) and (d). ¶1. (S) Post delivered reftel demarche on July 3 to MFA Director for Middle East and Africa Affairs, Daniel Tanase. Tanase was receptive and eager to work with U.S. and other allies to approach Damascus directly. Tanase would like Romania to send a small delegation from Bucharest to Damascus in order to underscore the seriousness of Romania's interest. He said that the delegation would want to coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Damascus but would first like to hear Washington's reaction to this proposal. He said Romania would plan to send mid-level experts, and though they could easily ask their ambassador in Syria to deliver the message, a small delegation from Bucharest would demonstrate Romania's full engagement on this issue. ¶2. (C) Comment/RFI: GOR has been looking for a "hook" to raise its profile in Middle Eastern issues, especially with Syria. Other interests, some undoubtedly economic and well as political and historic (from Romania's NAM days) are factors. Embassy requests Department's guidance on response to MFA's proposal about sending a small delegation from Bucharest to Damascus. End comment/RFI. TAUBMAN