SPEAKER LUPU READY TO ENGAGE TRANSNISTRIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 001282 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL MD SUBJECT: SPEAKER LUPU READY TO ENGAGE TRANSNISTRIAN PARLIAMENT Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHAEL D. KIRBY FOR REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During his meeting with Speaker Marian Lupu, EUR DAS David Kramer briefed Lupu on the Transnistrian (TN) negotiations and recent developments in Moscow, noting Chisinau's positive public diplomacy contributions. Lupu raised his willingness to start an inter-parliamentary dialogue with the TN Supreme Soviet. Lupu was also supportive of DAS Kramer's requests for assistance with the authorization of a new and larger Moldovan troop contingent for Iraq, and the ratification of an Article 98 agreement, pending negotiations with the Executive. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On October 19, EUR DAS Kramer and Ambassador Kirby met with Marian Lupu, Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, discussing negotiations on the TN conflict, Chisinau's efforts to reach out to the people of TN, the deployment of Moldovan troops to Iraq and signing an Article 98 Agreement. The Ambassador gave Lupu a read out of the 3 plus 2 meeting in Vienna. DAS Kramer briefly explained the details of the USG's package proposal presented in Moscow, which attempts to link a restart to negotiations on Transnistria to a route which would permit eventual demilitarization through withdrawal of the Russian troop presence, with the hopes of preventing Russia's CFE suspension come the December 12 deadline. ¶3. (C) Lupu highlighted his own efforts to reach out to Transnistria, noting his recent offer to Euvgheny Shevchuk, Speaker of the TN Supreme Soviet to begin a dialogue. Pending a positive response from Shevchuk, Lupu said he was willing to establish an ad hoc committee in the Moldovan Parliament to formalize inter-parliamentary dialogue with TN. Both DAS Kramer and the Ambassador applauded Chisinau's recent positive overtures towards Tiraspol, and noted that Shevchuk seemed a relatively open-minded and reasonable interlocutor. Lupu was cautious about the TN Speaker, wondering if Shevchuk's outreach to Chisinau was merely part of a power grab designed to marginalize TN "president" Smirnov, allowing him to take control, but maintaining the political status quo. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador added and Lupu agreed that certain efforts, such as the law recently adopted by the Moldovan Parliament (in the first reading) which forbids government officials from holding dual citizenship were negative signals which hurt reintegration efforts. Lupu also commented on his efforts to reach out to the EU via his parliamentary contacts, attempting to push the EU to be more assertive with Russia. Lupu noted that he would have an official visit to Paris (hosted by the French Senate) in January of next year and visit the UK Parliament in February. He was also coordinating an unofficial visit for President Voronin to Paris, and working with prominent EU Parliamentarians. (COMMENT: Lupu would very much like to visit the U.S. to meet with Speaker Pelosi. END COMMENT.) ¶5. (C) DAS Kramer requested Lupu's assistance with the authorization of a new and larger contingent of Moldovan soldiers for deployment to Iraq, and the ratification of an Article 98 agreement with the Republic of Moldova. Kramer noted the importance of Moldova's contribution to post-conflict humanitarian de-mining operations, which help save Iraqi civilian lives. Lupu was supportive on both issues, noting that the troop authorization should come to Parliament before the end of the year, because 2008 would be a tough pre-election year. He also supported the Ambassador's suggestion to adopt one authorization for two six-month deployments, helping to overcome any future political obstacles. On Article 98, Lupu was aware of a recent Constitutional Court decision, which ruled that the adoption of such an agreement did not require a change to the Moldovan constitution, but was unaware of the status of the Executive's negotiations with the United States. Post will follow up with Lupu's staff to ensure they become fully informed on Article 98 issues. ¶6. (U) DAS Kramer has cleared this cable. LINDEN