Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USNATO372
2007-06-15 08:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Mission USNATO
Cable title:
U.S. PRESENTS MOLDOVA PKF ALTERNATIVES TO ALLIES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHNO #0372/01 1660816 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 150816Z JUN 07 FM USMISSION USNATO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0962 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY 0120 RHMFISS/USNMR SHAPE BE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USDELMC BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000372
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RU MD
SUBJECT: U.S. PRESENTS MOLDOVA PKF ALTERNATIVES TO ALLIES
REF: A. MOSCOW 1579
B. STATE 79597
C. MOSCOW 2775
Classified By: DCM Richard Olson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000372
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RU MD
SUBJECT: U.S. PRESENTS MOLDOVA PKF ALTERNATIVES TO ALLIES
REF: A. MOSCOW 1579
B. STATE 79597
C. MOSCOW 2775
Classified By: DCM Richard Olson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On 8 June, DAS Kramer presented to Allies
the U.S. proposal on internationalizing the peacekeeping
force in Moldova (REF A-C). Allies appeared interested in
the proposal and engaged with a number of questions about how
the force would be implemented. Following the meeting, an
aide-memoire was circulated to Allies and, later that day,
DAS Kramer provided a non-paper on the proposal to Russian
DFM Grushko. End summary.
--------------
Kramer Outlines the US Proposal
--------------
2. (C) On 8 June, DAS Kramer presented the U.S. position on
the current situation in Transnistria pointing out that the
Russian Peacekeeping force is simply preserving the status
quo while engaging in corruption and guarding the Kolbasna
Munitions Depot. He emphasized the following two points: 1)
Allies must stand firm on the withdrawal of munitions; 2)
Moldova has asked the Russian forces to leave, as they remain
an impediment to a solution. One solution is to make a
transition to an international force. DAS Kramer then
outlined the US proposal for internationalizing the
peacekeepers. He explained that there would be an armed
component of approximately 200 troops, including military
advisors/observers and rapid reaction troops (whose presence
would be of limited duration),but the majority of the
remaining personnel (400-500) would be civilians. There
would be a cap of 25-30 percent on participation by any one
country. DAS Kramer told Allies that the U.S. wanted to
discuss this option with the Russians as a way forward in
solving the current impasse on a Transnistria settlement as
well as removing the major obstacle to ratification of the
adapted CFE by NATO Allies.
--------------
Allies Generally Positive
--------------
3. (C) Allies seemed generally positive towards the proposal
and did ask a number of questions. Allies wanted to know
what organization would provide the mandate (Hungary, Italy,
Germany),who would actually run the operation and who would
be consulted in the process (Romania, Estonia). Latvia was
also interested in whether a Russian commander would be ruled
out. Hungary and Spain wanted to know more about the
validity of Russian statements that their peacekeepers have
legal status. Additionally, Poland asked how the
internationalized peacekeeping force proposal would be
presented to the Russians and if it would be part of a joint
package with the issue of Guduata in Georgia. The UK asked
why this issue had been brought up at this time.
--------------
DAS Kramer Answers Allied Concerns
--------------
4. (C) DAS Kramer explained that the proposal would fall
under the mandate of the OSCE but would need implementers.
US suggestions were either: 1) EU, Russia and Ukraine; or 2)
NATO-Russia Council and Ukraine. Removal of the munitions
and the troops guarding them is a &crystal clear
requirement8 under the Istanbul Commitments, Kramer said.
The Moldovans have asked Russia to remove the rest of the
forces. DAS Kramer stressed the need for the Moldovan
government to engage diplomatically in key European capitals
to tell its side of the story, particularly as a window of
opportunity will close as presidential elections in Russia
(2008) and Moldova (2009) move closer. On the issue of
timing, DAS Kramer explained that the idea had been brought
up in the EU context but now it should be broadened to NATO.
The current issues on CFE add additional impetus to seek a
solution to the current impasse. The issues of command and
control of a new peacekeeping force still require
considerable thought, he said, and welcomed Allied thoughts
and suggestions. He concluded by noting the importance of
coming to a united Allied position that ensures a
constructive role for Ukraine, but that ultimately the key
would be selling this to the Russians. Following the
meeting, USNATO circulated an aide-memoire to Allies.
Additionally, DAS Kramer provided a non-paper to DFM Grushko,
who promised to pass it to CFE Head of Delegation Antonov in
advance of the June 12-15 CFE Extraordinary Conference in
Vienna.
5. (U) DAS Kramer has cleared this cable.
NULAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RU MD
SUBJECT: U.S. PRESENTS MOLDOVA PKF ALTERNATIVES TO ALLIES
REF: A. MOSCOW 1579
B. STATE 79597
C. MOSCOW 2775
Classified By: DCM Richard Olson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On 8 June, DAS Kramer presented to Allies
the U.S. proposal on internationalizing the peacekeeping
force in Moldova (REF A-C). Allies appeared interested in
the proposal and engaged with a number of questions about how
the force would be implemented. Following the meeting, an
aide-memoire was circulated to Allies and, later that day,
DAS Kramer provided a non-paper on the proposal to Russian
DFM Grushko. End summary.
--------------
Kramer Outlines the US Proposal
--------------
2. (C) On 8 June, DAS Kramer presented the U.S. position on
the current situation in Transnistria pointing out that the
Russian Peacekeeping force is simply preserving the status
quo while engaging in corruption and guarding the Kolbasna
Munitions Depot. He emphasized the following two points: 1)
Allies must stand firm on the withdrawal of munitions; 2)
Moldova has asked the Russian forces to leave, as they remain
an impediment to a solution. One solution is to make a
transition to an international force. DAS Kramer then
outlined the US proposal for internationalizing the
peacekeepers. He explained that there would be an armed
component of approximately 200 troops, including military
advisors/observers and rapid reaction troops (whose presence
would be of limited duration),but the majority of the
remaining personnel (400-500) would be civilians. There
would be a cap of 25-30 percent on participation by any one
country. DAS Kramer told Allies that the U.S. wanted to
discuss this option with the Russians as a way forward in
solving the current impasse on a Transnistria settlement as
well as removing the major obstacle to ratification of the
adapted CFE by NATO Allies.
--------------
Allies Generally Positive
--------------
3. (C) Allies seemed generally positive towards the proposal
and did ask a number of questions. Allies wanted to know
what organization would provide the mandate (Hungary, Italy,
Germany),who would actually run the operation and who would
be consulted in the process (Romania, Estonia). Latvia was
also interested in whether a Russian commander would be ruled
out. Hungary and Spain wanted to know more about the
validity of Russian statements that their peacekeepers have
legal status. Additionally, Poland asked how the
internationalized peacekeeping force proposal would be
presented to the Russians and if it would be part of a joint
package with the issue of Guduata in Georgia. The UK asked
why this issue had been brought up at this time.
--------------
DAS Kramer Answers Allied Concerns
--------------
4. (C) DAS Kramer explained that the proposal would fall
under the mandate of the OSCE but would need implementers.
US suggestions were either: 1) EU, Russia and Ukraine; or 2)
NATO-Russia Council and Ukraine. Removal of the munitions
and the troops guarding them is a &crystal clear
requirement8 under the Istanbul Commitments, Kramer said.
The Moldovans have asked Russia to remove the rest of the
forces. DAS Kramer stressed the need for the Moldovan
government to engage diplomatically in key European capitals
to tell its side of the story, particularly as a window of
opportunity will close as presidential elections in Russia
(2008) and Moldova (2009) move closer. On the issue of
timing, DAS Kramer explained that the idea had been brought
up in the EU context but now it should be broadened to NATO.
The current issues on CFE add additional impetus to seek a
solution to the current impasse. The issues of command and
control of a new peacekeeping force still require
considerable thought, he said, and welcomed Allied thoughts
and suggestions. He concluded by noting the importance of
coming to a united Allied position that ensures a
constructive role for Ukraine, but that ultimately the key
would be selling this to the Russians. Following the
meeting, USNATO circulated an aide-memoire to Allies.
Additionally, DAS Kramer provided a non-paper to DFM Grushko,
who promised to pass it to CFE Head of Delegation Antonov in
advance of the June 12-15 CFE Extraordinary Conference in
Vienna.
5. (U) DAS Kramer has cleared this cable.
NULAND