Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LJUBLJANA749
2007-12-07 10:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC
how-toVZCZCXRO6286 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0749/01 3411044 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 071044Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6296 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0040 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0017 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0017 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0094 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0015 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0129 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000749
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV IR IS BM SY
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC
REF: STATE 164327
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000749
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV IR IS BM SY
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC
REF: STATE 164327
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Emboff delivered Department's points to the MFA's EU
Correspondent Aljaz Arih on December 6.
EU Enlargement
--------------
2. (C) Arih said that Slovenia, as one of the strongest
advocates for EU enlargement, agreed with our points. He
noted that the EU was still drafting the European Council's
conclusions about EU enlargement, and Slovenia was trying to
push hard for progress. Arih expressed Slovenia's view that
moving to signing SAAs with both Bosnia and Serbia was
important. He added that it was highly unlikely that the EU
would sign an SAA with Serbia before Kosovo status is
finalized.
European Neighborhood Policy
--------------
3. (C) Arih took our comments on board. He noted that he did
not expect to have a long discussion on ENP - the main
purpose of the agenda item was for the European Council to
present their recommendations for taking the policy further.
Kosovo
--------------
4. (C) Arih commented that the U.S. position was in line with
that of Slovenia. He said the Foreign Ministers would likely
issue a statement taking note of the troika's report, but the
debate was meant as preparation for the European Council
meeting on December 14. He added that Ischinger would give
the GAERC a more detailed report of the Troika's conclusions.
Taking note of the excellent cooperation in the Quint, he
stressed the importance of cooperation with the U.S. Arih
reiterated that Kosovo is primarily an EU problem and that
the EU had to try to keep unity. He worried that some member
states remained reluctant to deal with and also to recognize
an independent Kosovo. Arih expressed concern about how the
international community would assure that Kosovo would
implement the essential elements of the Ahtisaari Plan. He
suggested that many EU member states would likely condition
their recognition of Kosovo's independence on Kosovo
subsequently adopting a constitution that incorporated those
necessary elements. He speculated that Kosovo could quickly
finalize its constitution after declaring independence.
Iran
--------------
5. (C) Arih said that Slovenia fully supports an effort to
adopt a third UNSCR, but that it would not be easy given the
recent NIE on Iran. He noted that some EU member-states were
very reluctant to go ahead with EU sanctions. According to
Arih, Slovenia thinks that adding entities to the EU's
existing designation list would be an extension of existing
measures. He added, however, that Slovenia was not keen to
proceed with autonomous EU actions. He reiterated that
Slovenia prefers to wait to pursue possible EU measures only
after the UN process plays out.
Israel-Palestinian Peace Process
--------------
6. (C) Arih expressed concern that the EU should be involved
in the follow-up process of the Israel-Palestinian Peace
Process. While acknowledging the central role of the U.S.,
he worried at the lack of any mention of the Quartet in the
Roadmap Implementation. He said the EU had the impression
that it was being shunted aside.
Sudan
--------------
7. (C) Arih said the discussion about Sudan would also
include the ESDP missions to Chad and CAR. He explained that
there were some difficulties about financing of the
operations and providing enough troops. Slovenia currently
LJUBLJANA 00000749 002 OF 002
plans to send one soldier to Chad, although it may reconsider
and plus that up by a little, but would not send a big
contingent.
Burma
--------------
8. (C) Arih stated that the EU would call for the release of
political prisoners, lifting restrictions on ASSK, and refer
to the important role of the ASEAN countries. He noted that
the EU's envoy, Fassino, will brief Foreign Ministers about
the situation on the ground and possible developments.
Slovenia will wait to hear Fassino's assessment before
considering the question of sanctions and additional measures.
COLEMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV IR IS BM SY
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC
REF: STATE 164327
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Emboff delivered Department's points to the MFA's EU
Correspondent Aljaz Arih on December 6.
EU Enlargement
--------------
2. (C) Arih said that Slovenia, as one of the strongest
advocates for EU enlargement, agreed with our points. He
noted that the EU was still drafting the European Council's
conclusions about EU enlargement, and Slovenia was trying to
push hard for progress. Arih expressed Slovenia's view that
moving to signing SAAs with both Bosnia and Serbia was
important. He added that it was highly unlikely that the EU
would sign an SAA with Serbia before Kosovo status is
finalized.
European Neighborhood Policy
--------------
3. (C) Arih took our comments on board. He noted that he did
not expect to have a long discussion on ENP - the main
purpose of the agenda item was for the European Council to
present their recommendations for taking the policy further.
Kosovo
--------------
4. (C) Arih commented that the U.S. position was in line with
that of Slovenia. He said the Foreign Ministers would likely
issue a statement taking note of the troika's report, but the
debate was meant as preparation for the European Council
meeting on December 14. He added that Ischinger would give
the GAERC a more detailed report of the Troika's conclusions.
Taking note of the excellent cooperation in the Quint, he
stressed the importance of cooperation with the U.S. Arih
reiterated that Kosovo is primarily an EU problem and that
the EU had to try to keep unity. He worried that some member
states remained reluctant to deal with and also to recognize
an independent Kosovo. Arih expressed concern about how the
international community would assure that Kosovo would
implement the essential elements of the Ahtisaari Plan. He
suggested that many EU member states would likely condition
their recognition of Kosovo's independence on Kosovo
subsequently adopting a constitution that incorporated those
necessary elements. He speculated that Kosovo could quickly
finalize its constitution after declaring independence.
Iran
--------------
5. (C) Arih said that Slovenia fully supports an effort to
adopt a third UNSCR, but that it would not be easy given the
recent NIE on Iran. He noted that some EU member-states were
very reluctant to go ahead with EU sanctions. According to
Arih, Slovenia thinks that adding entities to the EU's
existing designation list would be an extension of existing
measures. He added, however, that Slovenia was not keen to
proceed with autonomous EU actions. He reiterated that
Slovenia prefers to wait to pursue possible EU measures only
after the UN process plays out.
Israel-Palestinian Peace Process
--------------
6. (C) Arih expressed concern that the EU should be involved
in the follow-up process of the Israel-Palestinian Peace
Process. While acknowledging the central role of the U.S.,
he worried at the lack of any mention of the Quartet in the
Roadmap Implementation. He said the EU had the impression
that it was being shunted aside.
Sudan
--------------
7. (C) Arih said the discussion about Sudan would also
include the ESDP missions to Chad and CAR. He explained that
there were some difficulties about financing of the
operations and providing enough troops. Slovenia currently
LJUBLJANA 00000749 002 OF 002
plans to send one soldier to Chad, although it may reconsider
and plus that up by a little, but would not send a big
contingent.
Burma
--------------
8. (C) Arih stated that the EU would call for the release of
political prisoners, lifting restrictions on ASSK, and refer
to the important role of the ASEAN countries. He noted that
the EU's envoy, Fassino, will brief Foreign Ministers about
the situation on the ground and possible developments.
Slovenia will wait to hear Fassino's assessment before
considering the question of sanctions and additional measures.
COLEMAN