SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF JULY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000469

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF JULY GAERC

REF: SECSTATE 98749

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


1. (C) Acting PolEcon Chief delivered reftel points to MFA
Office of EU Affairs representative Aljaz Arih July 18.

Kosovo - Arih expressed hope that a UN resolution can be
reached within the additional 120 days allocated for
negotiation but is not optimistic. Slovenia has made no
official decison on recognizing Kosovo independence without a
UN resolution but Arih stated that unity is critical to this
decision. The EU will discuss possibilities for an ESDP
mission to be sent to Kosovo even without a UN resolution.

Albania - He does not believe this will be discussed but
agrees that Albania must play a role in calming the region.

Ukraine - Ukraine will be discussed in preparation for the
annual EU-Ukraine summit. Arih thanked us for our points and
said he would pass them on. Agree that increased stability
and competition is important and would like to see an
enhanced Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). Arih does not
expect NAMSA II to be discussed at GAERC but rather at OSCE
in Vienna.

Iran - Solana will brief PolDirs. Slovenia supports
two-track approach to Iran -- maintain open communication and
continue talks within UN framework. Slovenia supports
additional pressures beyond the UNSCR 1737 and 1747 in theory
but not at the expense of ordinary Iranian citizens. He
emphasized that implementing additional UN sanctions is a
sensitive subject because of the need to keep China and
Russia on board.

Middle East - Slovenia is cautiously supportive . Arih
stated that the EUCOPPS will be resumed. Slovenia sees the
Olmert-Abbas meeting in Egypt as a good thing. Saudi Arabia
and Egypt need to take their role seriously. Slovenia
believes that the Israelis should not be increasing their
settlements, that this is detrimental to the peace process.
On the other side Palestinians need to be sent a strong
message to stop terrorist acts. Slovenia strongly supports
Tony Blair's participation in the Quartet and believes he
will invigorate the process.

Sudan/Darfur - Slovenia supports the plan of having a
French-led ESDP presence in Chad as a bridge until UN troops
arrive but will need to get Chad's support. The goal would be
create a safe haven in Chad. Slovenia would find it
difficult to send actual troops but will definitely provide
financial support.


2. (U) Other issues to be raised at GAERC include the
Litvinenko case, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Bulgarian nurses, UNSCR 1562 regarding Sierra Leone, and
European rapporteur statements regarding CIA rendition
flights.


3. (U) On the side of the GAERC meeting Slovenian PolDir
will attend regular Association Council meetings with
Morocco, Chile and Macedonia.

ROBERTSON