PM TARLEV UPBEAT ON USG CFE PROPOSALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 001281

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PBTS ECON MD
SUBJECT: PM TARLEV UPBEAT ON USG CFE PROPOSALS

REF: STATE 146521

Classified By: Ambassador Michael D. Kirby for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. DAS Kramer briefed Prime Minister Tarlev on
U.S. efforts to persuade Russia not to suspend participation
on CFE. Tarlev appreciated our efforts and stressed that
getting Russian forces out of Transnistria soon would help to
resolve the Transnistria conflict. Kramer's urging of
Moldova to participate more actively in GUAM elicited support
for GUAM, but also evinced Moldovan frustration with GUAM's
operating style. Tarlev expressed guarded optimism that
Moldova might increase the size of Moldova's modest Iraq
contingent. Finally, Tarlev suggested that the GOM was
favorably inclined to provide us with a good site for a new
embassy. End summary.

CFE and Transnistria
--------------


2. (C) During an October 19 meeting with Moldovan Prime
Minister Vasile Tarlev, DAS Kramer Ambassador Kirby briefed
him on the recent Moscow discussions on CFE (Ref A). Tarlev
responded that the GOM would consider carefully Kramer's
suggestions for a three-step approach on keeping Russia from
suspending participation in the CFE while protecting
Moldova's interests. The Prime Minister highly appreciated
U.S. urgings that Russia comply with its Istanbul
commitments. Tarlev offered his basic analysis: if Russia
wanted to remove its munitions from Colbasna quickly, it
could. He added that the women who blocked the rails were
simply the spouses of Russian military personnel. Indeed,
Tarlev emphasized, the Russian peacekeeping forces in
Transnistria (TN) were, in fact, the destabilizing factor in
the region. The faster those Russian forces could be
withdrawn and replaced by a civilian contingent, in Tarlev's
opinion, the better as he believes that the Transnistrian
regime would collapse without Russian troops to prop them up.
Russia could, of course, participate in such a civilian
force, Tarlev thought.


3. (C) In response to Ambassador Kirby's briefing on the
recent 3 plus 2 talks in Vienna, Tarlev noted that Moldova
wanted the 5 plus 2 negotiations to restart, but hoped that
meetings would discuss substantive matters. DAS Kramer
lauded recent GOM efforts to reach out to Transnistria. That
was just the right approach during the 5 plus 2 stalemate,
Kramer observed, to demonstrate that Moldova was one country
and that Chisinau leaders were open to dialogue with the
Transnistrians. The Prime Minister welcomed dialogue with
the Transnistrians, including Ambassador Kirby's efforts to
engage TN authorities and civil society. Tarlev noted that
TN officials had told right-bank counterparts that the
Transnistrians could not make their own decisions and had to
wait for Moscow's approval before proceeding on important
matters. Tarlev believed that the authority of the TN
leaders was lessening.


4. (C) Tarlev praised EUBAM's work and stated that he
believed it had stopped the export of arms from TN. He urged
that EUBAM's mission be extended indefinitely and widened
significantly to include monitoring along the green zone,
through which contraband continues to flow, and to monitor
not only TN exports but also imports. Within the last eight
months, Tarlev averred, TN had imported per capita eight
times more meat and poultry than the average German consumed.
Contraband, Tarlev concluded. All movements, including
Russian investments, as well as contraband into and out of TN
went through Ukraine. Tarlev said that in his opinion
Ukraine was key to a Transnistrian solution.

GUAM, Iraq and MCC
--------------


5. (C) Turning to GUAM, Kramer noted the increasing role
GUAM is playing in the region as the organization takes on a
life of its own. Tarlev agreed that GUAM has good prospects
and that GUAM has become a stronger institution. Of course,
GUAM's activities could be more dynamic and GUAM could
undertake more joint projects, Tarlev added. Alluding to
President Voronin's non-participation in the GUAM summit in
Baku (Tarlev attended in his stead),Tarlev noted that GUAM
could prepare its meetings more carefully and with more
lead-time. Moldova had been irritated that because of short
notice it could not participate in the summit at the highest
level. He concluded his comments on GUAM by saying Moldova
wanted to be more active in GUAM.


6. (C) DAS Kramer then brought up Iraq by noting DASD Debra
Cagan's recent visit and reiterating the USG's request that
Moldova increase the size of its contingent of deminers.

CHISINAU 00001281 002 OF 002


Kramer told the Prime Minister that the U.S. did not take for
granted Moldova's contributions to coalition efforts in Iraq
and appreciated the political difficulties the government
faced in approving each contingent. Tarlev responded that
the government initially encountered much more opposition to
sending contingents to Iraq. Now critics' arguments had been
addressed and were no longer valid, he opined. Tarlev
reiterated his high estimation of U.S.-Moldovan relations,
the high credibility the U.S. enjoyed in Moldova, and the
close and productive U.S.-Moldovan cooperation in many
fields. "I will do everything possible to maintain this
relationship in all spheres," he concluded.


7. (C) As Tarlev has pushed his government strongly on MCC
preparations, Ambassador Kirby raised the elaboration of
Moldova's MCC Compact proposal. Having heard President
Voronin earlier in the day raise the importance of
maintaining Moldovan public support during the long
proposal-review process, the Ambassador reviewed USG
expectations. He said we expect to get a proposal from the
GOM as early as December. The U.S. would then make a rapid
preliminary review of the submission and by sometime in March
or April 2008 be ready to see how we might be able to assist
with the review process. We understand, Kirby underscored,
that early, positive, and tangible signs would send a strong
signal to the Moldovan population that the U.S. continues to
stand with Moldova.

A New Embassy Compound
--------------


8. (U) The Ambassador concluded the meeting by raising the
issue of a new embassy compound. He noted that the recently
demolished Republican Stadium could serve as a potential site
if it became available. The old stadium was in the center of
town, a good location like the Russian Embassy. Tarlev said
the stadium location was a good idea and that, as far as the
executive branch was concerned, it would do all it could to
support such a possibility. Various government offices were
already analyzing this idea; Tarlev and the MFA had even
discussed the idea with President Voronin. The GOM would
respond to the Embassy's request soon, he promised.


9. (U) DAS Kramer cleared this cable.
LINDEN