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