SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000717 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2017 TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV BK BM CH IR IS IZ KV LE PK SY, ZI, SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: STATE 156474 Classified By: ADCM Grace Shelton, Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Emboff delivered reftel's non-paper to the MFA's EU Correspondent Aljaz Arih on November 15. Arih remarked that we were on the "same line" on most issues, including Bosnia, Iran, and Pakistan. He requested that the U.S. consider inviting Slovenia to the Annapolis meeting. EU-China Summit -------------- ¶2. (C) Arih commented that the EU planned to raise Iran and the Middle East with China at the Summit and that we were on the same side regarding Iran. He noted that China's Anti-Satellite Test and the EU China Arms Embargo were unlikely to be raised. He added that the EU planned to raise the issue of human rights; other big themes would be climate change, energy security and regional issues, including Burma, Chad and Darfur. The EU planned to bring up the role of China in Sudan and using its leverage to press the Sudanese government. On Kosovo, the EU's clear message would be that Kosovo was a EU priority and they expected China to be cooperative at the UNSC. EU-Africa Summit -------------- ¶3. (C) Arih said that Slovenia shared U.S. concerns about Mugabe's attendance at the Summit, but that the substance of the Summit was long in the making and very important. He added that although there was not final confirmation, PM Jansa would attend the Summit because of Slovenia's upcoming Presidency of the EU Council. He noted that Slovenia was advocating that Zimbabwe's human rights abuses should be at the top of the agenda. Kosovo -------------- ¶4. (C) Arih stated that Ischinger had briefed the EU that chances for agreement in the troika process were very slim. Slovenia was not holding out much hope for progress at the next round of talks, but was focused on preparing for dealing with the issue of Kosovo during its EU Presidency. He stressed Slovenia's desire for a coordinated U.S.-EU approach on UDI and next steps. Arih did not expect the situation to become more clear until the next GAERC December 10-11. According to Arih, there would be a discussion of prolonging the OSCE Mission to Kosovo given signals in Vienna that Russia would likely only agree to extending the OSCE's �0A;mandate on a monthly basis, if that. The EU was worried that it would have to take over the OSCE mission and asked for U.S. support in working with Russia at the OSCE. Bosnia -------------- ¶5. (C) Arih noted that the U.S. talking points on Bosnia were on the same line as Slovenia's: Slovenia supports Lajcak and the use of the Bonn powers as well as the need to caution Belgrade and Russia not to destabilize Bosnia. He added that the EU should offer Bosnia a clear European perspective, which could help stabilize the situation. Iran -------------- ¶6. (C) Arih said that Slovenia had the same line as the U.S.: Slovenia fully supports the UN process and hopes the P5 1 Political Directors reach agreement on a new set of sanctions. Slovenia does not oppose the EU starting discussions on EU "autonomous measures" and next steps, but wants to wait for a UN decision about sanctions before making any EU decision. Iraq -------------- ¶7. (C) Arih anticipated intense discussions on EU engagement at the GAERC, but no final decision - that would come "very soon." He said that the EU was waiting to hear whether FM Zebari would be able to attend the GAERC. In response to our request that the EU consider increasing development assistance to Iraq, Arih said that stabilization and a more secure environment, the promotion of inclusiveness, and national reconciliation were crucial. He noted Slovenia would do all it could to promote these issues during its Presidency. Israeli-Palestinian Peace -------------- ¶8. (C) Arih said that Slovenia as incoming EU President would be very interested in participating at the Annapolis meeting. He explained that Slovenia expected follow-up would be needed, so it wanted to get as much information as possible on the way ahead. Arih also pressed for an invitation to Syria. He commented that Slovenia believed that early, tangible progress on the ground, especially on economic and social issues, was needed in order to get broad support from Arab states. He noted that Israel should be cooperative and ease some restrictions or take some steps to allow a return to normal life as a good will gesture. He expressed the hope that the U.S. would encourage Israel to make some such moves. Arih said that Slovenia fully agrees about the importance of the December 17 Donors' Conference and is considering pledging something (but nothing approaching the U.S.' $375 million). Lebanon/Syria -------------- ¶9. (C) Arih fully agreed on presidential elections. He said that while Syria was not on the GAERC agenda, Slovenia was concerned about ongoing Syrian interference in Lebanon, which was not helpful. He remarked however, on the need to put Syria in the broader regional picture. He said it was in the EU's interest to engage with Syria, even though it was difficult; the EU member states had different views on how/if to engage and had not concluded their discussion. He added that the Annapolis Conference could be helpful to engage Syria more fully and put it on the right track. Burma -------------- ¶10. (C) Arih stated that Burma was not on the agenda for discussion by the Foreign Ministers. He expected that the working group would reach conclusions. He noted that Slovenia hoped the EU would adopt as soon as possible a common position on the new sanctions agreed to on October 15. He questioned whether the EU would agree to tougher financial sanctions because there was no unified view. Slovenia also welcomed Mr. Fassino's appointment as EU Special Envoy and is now waiting to see whether he will be able to go to Burma and be helpful to Gambari's efforts. Pakistan -------------- ¶11. (C) Arih expressed complete agreement with our points. He added that Slovenia hopes Musharraf and the opposition can come to agreement on the way forward. Other Issues -------------- ¶12. (C) Arih added that the Presidency will provide information about the upcoming EU-India Summit. The GAERC will also discuss Georgia. Slovenia is concerned about the situation; hopefully Saakashvili will lift emergency rule on November 16 and there can be calm preparations for the presidential election. Slovenia also supports signing a visa facilitation agreement as soon as possible. He noted that the Ministers of Defense and Ministers for Development will hold separate sessions on the margins of the GAERC. There will be a joint session with the FMs and Defense Ministers to discuss ESDPs, particularly for Chad and the Central African Republic. COLEMAN