LATVIA AND RUSSIA TO DELAY EXCHANGE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000831 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2012 TAGS: PREL PBTS RS LG SUBJECT: LATVIA AND RUSSIA TO DELAY EXCHANGE OF RATIFICATION ON BORDER TREATY Classified By: Charge d'affaires a.i. Stuart M. Seldowitz. Reason: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Officials in both the PM's office and the MFA have confirmed what we expected - that the current political situation in Latvia has delayed the exchange of instruments of ratification for the Latvia-Russia border treaty. FM Lavrov's proposed visit for November 14 or 15 is off as there is currently no foreign minister. The Russians reportedly suggested that the exchange of instruments be done at a lower level, but the Latvians insisted on waiting until a FM-level exchange could be arranged. The Russians have agreed. Peteris Ustubs, foreign policy advisor to PM Kalvitis, said that the GOL was hopeful a December exchange could be arranged, noting that it would them come after Latvian the Constitutional Court rules on the treaty (ruling must be issued by November 30). ¶2. (C) Comment: In the current political environment, the government is happy to have some breathing room on this issue, which has never been hugely popular with voters. The delay will also ensure that the exchange of instruments comes after the court rules, thus avoiding another political challenge for the government if it a negative ruling had followed the entry into force of the agreement. SELDOWITZ