SLOVENIA: BALKANS, MIDEAST AND (NOW) CUBA ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000256

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/SCE, EUR/ERA, IO, WHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2017
TAGS: PREL KDEM PHUM CU YI SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: BALKANS, MIDEAST AND (NOW) CUBA ON
RUPEL'S MIND


Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Slovenian FM Dimitrij Rupel sees Kosovo as
the make or break issue for the entire Western Balkans, and
in a meeting with EUR PDAS Kurt Volker, urged continued unity
between the US and EU as well as a comprehensive program with
strong western perspective for Serbia, Kosovo and the rest of
the region. With Rupel about to embark on a Latin America
tour of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the Dominican Republic,
discussion of support for democracy in Cuba was timely.
Though never a front burner issue for Slovenia, Rupel
understands Slovenia must engage as President of the EU and,
if all goes according to plan, a new member of the UN Human
Rights Council. He committed to finding a venue to discuss
this, perhaps when he stops in the Dominican Republic.
Anticipating a Mid-East trip in early May, Rupel also
requested consultations with the Department prior to his
departure, which post will work to facilitate. End Summary.


2. (C) In a 45 minute meeting with PDAS Kurt Volker on April
10, FM Rupel seized the opportunity to drive home his strong
views on the way forward on Kosovo. Starting from the
position that the Ahtasaari plan was the only viable
solution, Rupel expanded on his view that much more must be
done to sweeten the deal for Serbia, eliminate any daylight
between the U.S. and EU positions in the UN, and keep Russia
from becoming the spoiler. Rupel said a grand plan for the
region encompassing all the former Yugoslav republics was
necessary in order to alleviate the "great jealousies" that
develop when the former Yugoslav republics make comparisons
among themselves. Rupel worried the average Serb was not
attracted "enough" to Europe because the promise of a
Stability and Association Agreement has no real meaning,
whereas the solid promise of EU membership does. Volker
agreed with Rupel on the importance of resolving Kosovo
status soon saying Slovenian views align with the US in this
regard. Getting Kosovo right will help move the entire
region forward. We also agree on the need to reach out to
Serbia. Rupel was supportive of bringing a UN resolution to
vote in the Security Council by the end of May since this
would absolve any eventual Serbian government of
responsibility for the Kosovo decision.

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UNHRC - Rupel will Talk to Steinmeier
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3. (C) PDAS Volker raised the issue of the UN Human Rights
Council and Rupel immediately made a plea for the U.S. not to
introduce a third candidate as this would mean Slovenia's
"excommunication." Volker assured him we would not seek to
introduce a third candidate before Slovenia was safely
elected to the UNHRC, however, we needed Slovenia and the
entire EU to work with us to defeat Belarus's bid. He added
that we also want to be able to indicate that Bosnia should
be the alternate choice, prior to its formally becoming a
candidate. Rupel remained wary but said he would contact
German FM Steinmeier to urge Germany to do more as EU
President to galvanize opinion against Belarus.

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Cuba - Slovenia Will Be More Engaged
--------------


4. (C) Referring to the recent visit of Spanish FM Moratinos
to Cuba and his failure to meet with democratic dissidents,
PDAS Volker suggested to Rupel that now would be the
opportunity for the EU to press forward on a common policy
calling for a democratic transition in Cuba. Rupel
appreciated the need to say something to lend support for
Cubans to be given the chance to choose their government. He
was not optimistic that it could be worked out, and he asked
about meeting with Cuban FM Roque on the margins of the
EU-Rio meeting in the Dominican Republic the next week.
Volker said that engaging below the level of minister was
important especially if it offered an opportunity to press
for more freedom for small and medium enterprises, release of
political prisoners and a chance to discuss the political
direction of Cuba. EU states need to take care, however, also
to meet with and empower dissidents in Cuba.

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Mideast - Welcome Consultations
--------------


5. (C) Almost immediately after he returns from his Latin
America trip, Rupel plans to travel to the Middle East.
Volker offered a rundown of our current views of the internal
Palestinian political situation and praised the excellent
partnership of the EU in the Quartet. Rupel told Volker that
he would be very interested in consulting with Department
experts before his departure on May 6.

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Bled Forum - US Invited to Participate
--------------


6. (C) Before the meeting ended, Rupel promised to think
about who might be a good European representative in
Afghanistan and he made a pitch for USG participation in
Slovenia's (now) annual event - the Bled Forum - taking place
in late August 2007. The theme this year will be the EU with
expansion and energy cooperation as main topics. Rupel
suggested they have reasonable expectations that British PM
Tony Blair will attend.


7. (U) PDAS Volker cleared this cable.
ROBERTSON