DAS DAVID KRAMER'S MAY 10 VISIT TO RIGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000358 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2012 TAGS: PREL EAID BO MD RS LG SUBJECT: DAS DAVID KRAMER'S MAY 10 VISIT TO RIGA Classified By: Charge d'affaires Tamir G. Waser. Reason: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: EUR DAS David Kramer paid a one day visit to Riga, mainly focused on Moldova. In a bilateral meeting at the MFA, the Latvians reviewed their efforts to provide assistance in Moldova and their hope to find ways to provide training to mid-level Belarusian officials. MFA State Secretary Penke also urged greater coordination to ensure a SIPDIS consistent message to Russia on a range of issues. End summary. ¶2. (U) EUR DAS David Kramer visited Riga May 10 at the invitation of the Latvian government. His main purpose was to join other representatives from e-Pine countries in attending a lunch hosted by FM Pabriks for visiting Moldovan PM Tarlev and a subsequent roundtable with Moldovan Deputy FM Osterlap. ¶3. (C) Kramer, joined by A/DCM, also met with MFA State Secretary Normans Penke. Kramer praised the GOL's initiative SIPDIS for hosting the event for the Moldovans as a way to increase understanding of the situation in Moldova among the Nordic and Baltic states, noting that there was lots of money for Moldova, but more political support and attention were needed. Penke said that Latvia hoped to increase travel by Moldovans to Latvia and was participating in the visa facilitation center in Chisinau. He said he was pleased that the MFA had received significantly more project proposals for Moldova than its limited aid budget could accommodate; this shows the Latvian public wants to help in Moldova. After reviewing latest developments in Moldova, Kramer said that he believed either a joint EU/Russian/Ukrainian or NATO-Russia Council peacekeeping force offered the best hope of a resolution to the Transnistrian conflict, but the Germans and EU council secretariat, among others, were resistant to the idea. ¶4. (C) Turning to Belarus, Kramer reviewed his recent trip there and highlighted his clear message on the need to release all political prisoners. He underscored for Penke that failure to see progress on this issue could result in the US imposing additional sanctions, while release of all would be met with a positive U.S. response to recognize the progress. Penke said Latvia wants to look at training of mid-level officials in economics and law, which Kramer welcomed. MFA U/S Edgars Skuja said that Belarus is especially focused on GSP vis-a-vis the EU, but clarified that only changes in the labor law could change the outcome of the EU's decision on GSP. ¶5. (C) On Russia, Penke said recent actions are "announcing they are back" and Russia is looking to be treated as a major player in the world. Penke said it was important for various groups like EU, NATO, the G-8, to deliver a consistent message to Russia. We cannot afford splits on Iran, Kosovo, or missile defense, he said. Penke urged more consultations to ensure a coordinated response to Russia. At the end of the meeting, Penke noted sarcastically that he was surprised that the U.S. position on OECD enlargement seemed more supportive of Russia than of Latvia. ¶6. (U) While in Riga, Kramer had interviews with leading Russian and Latvian language dailies and attended a dinner attended by government officials, editorial writers, and policy experts. ¶7. (U) DAS Kramer has cleared this cable. WASER