MFA REITERATES TO VISITING OSCE SPECIAL ENVOY GOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 004163 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2017 TAGS: PREL MOPS PBTS PINS UNSC GG RS SUBJECT: MFA REITERATES TO VISITING OSCE SPECIAL ENVOY GOR POSITION ON MISSILE LAUNCH IN GEORGIA REF: MOSCOW 4111 Classified By: Classified by Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons 1.4 (a,b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: According to MFA and Spanish diplomats, OSCE CiO Zuzul used his August 22-23 visit to stress the need to reduce Georgian-Russian tensions, without focusing on identifying the guilty party in the August 6 missile incident. The GOR accorded Zuzul a mid-level MFA hearing, expressed disquiet over his appointment process, and fixed blame for the attack on GOG officials intent on taking Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force. Zuzul reportedly will counsel Spanish FM and OSCE CiO Moratinos, who meets with Lavrov August 30, to focus on how to avoid such incidents in the future. End Summary. GOR Downplays Zuzul Visit -------------- ¶2. (C) Spanish embassy diplomats, who accompanied Zuzul to his August 23 meeting with MFA Fourth CIS Department Acting Director Dmitriy Tarabrin, told us that Zuzul had expected a higher level meeting in the MFA. However, they reported that the atmosphere was friendly, noting that Zuzul's message to Tarabrin was that the OSCE was only interested in helping to defuse the situation and lower tensions. Zuzul stressed that he was not interested in finding the guilty party. MFA Reiterates Russia's Arguments to Zuzul -------------- ¶3. (C) In an August 24 meeting, MFA Georgia Section Chief Vyacheslav Kunakov gave us a similar readout of Zuzul's message. Kunakov said Zuzul told Tarabrin that the August 6 incident "reverberated" throughout the international community and the OSCE was obligated to help find an "exit" for both sides. Before responding to Zuzul's comments, Kunakov said Tarabrin expressed Russia's deep concern over the OSCE's "unusual" appointment process for Zuzul. Tarabrin argued that according to a 2004 OSCE Council of Ministers document, member states should be consulted before the CiO appoints a special envoy. Tarabrin acknowledged that the document stipulates that consultations should occur only if time allows, but Russia maintains that there was sufficient time for all member states, including Russia, to be consulted. However, Tarabrin stressed that "in the interest of good will," Russia received Zuzul in his capacity as OSCE Special Envoy and remains committed to finding a peaceful and quick resolution. Tarabrin cited as proof DFM Karasin's August 30 meeting with Georgian State Minister Bakradze and Georgian DFM Mandzhazidze in Moscow. Zuzul conceded that his appointment process was a bit irregular and was appreciative of Russia's cooperation. ¶4. (C) Tarabrin reiterated the Russian version of the incident - namely, that Georgia orchestrated the missile launch in an effort to undermine the dialogue between the two countries on South Ossetia (reftel). Tarabrin stressed that Russia has not claimed that the entire Georgian government was involved in the incident; a few influential officials acting on their own could have easily carried out the missile launch. Kunakov said that Tarabrin "reminded" Zuzul that "some Georgians" are intent on exacerbating tensions between Georgian and Russia. Tarabrin underscored for Zuzul the "likelihood" that Georgia was building up its case for a "violent solution" to the conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Tarabrin urged Zuzul to view the August 6 incident as "inseparably linked to the general situation in South Ossetia." GOR Warns Against Assigning Blame -------------- ¶5. (C) Kunakov agreed with the Spanish characterization that the conversation between Tarabrin and Zuzul was frank and friendly. However, Tarabrin pressed Zuzul to urge the OSCE and key member states, including the U.S., to refrain from taking positions and making statements that only "stimulate Tbilisi's mood." Spanish DCM Manuel de la Camera said Zuzul would counsel Spanish FM and OSCE CiO Moratinos, who will meet FM Lavrov in Moscow on August 30 in part to discuss the missile incident, to focus the OSCE's attention on how to avoid such incidents in the future. Melville