DAS DAVID KRAMER'S MAY 10 VISIT TO RIGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000358

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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

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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

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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