GERMANY IN ADVANCE OF THE JANUARY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000113

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018
TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL PGOV KVIR IR IZ IS SU
SUBJECT: GERMANY IN ADVANCE OF THE JANUARY GAERC

REF: STATE 7679

Classified By: Deputy Political Minister Counselor Stanley Otto for rea
sons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA Acting Head of
the European Correspondent Office Thomas Schieb on January

25. Schieb noted that the Western Balkans, Iran,
Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Lebanon, Pakistan,
Sudan/Dafur/Chad, and Kenya were currently on the GAERC
agenda.

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Western Balkans
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2. (C) Schieb stressed that Germany agrees with reftel
points on the Western Balkans. He said that the issue of
Kosovar independence would not play a decisive role in the
discussion, although, he stressed, there is a "high degree of
awareness in the EU of what is at stake." He added that
"some (EU member) states have a problem with recognition."
The situation in Serbia, however, will be a focus of the
January GAERC, he said. Schiebe emphasized MFA agreement
with the reftel point that it is important to reach out to
Serbia and to firmly orient Serbia towards Europe. He
stressed that the EU will take a decision on the ESDP mission
after the second round of Serbian elections on February 3.

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Iran
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3. (C) Iran will not be discussed at length at the GAERC,
according to Schieb. He said that FM Steinmeier will brief
the ministers on the outcome of the January 22 meeting of the
P5 plus one in Berlin, which Schieb noted, was "very
successful" in maintaining Quad and international unity on
Iran. He said he expects that a third UNSC resolution will
soon be finalized. There would be no decision or discussion
on EU autonomous sanctions at this GAERC, he said.

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Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
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4. (C) Schieb said that there will be conclusions published
by the GAERC on Israel-Palestinian peace process, mainly
dealing with concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
When Poloff asked whether the conclusions would also address
the problem of rocket attacks launched from Gaza into Israel,
Schieb indicated that such a point would be also be included.
He said that the conclusions would also call for maintaining
the momentum generated in Annapolis. Schieb pointed out that
FM Steinmeier had recently met with Palestinian Prime
Minister Fayyad and that Germany is already involved in
initiating the EU action plan.

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Lebanon
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5. (C) Schieb said that short conclusions would also be
published on Lebanon at the GAERC, which track in part with
reftel points, including the necessity of immediate
elections. In response to Poloff's query, Schieb said that
the conclusions would not directly make mention of Syrian
interference. He also noted that the conclusions will
commend the Arab League's plan and condemn the recent
terrorist attack against the U.S. Embassy vehicle. Schieb
said that the conclusions would likely not make mention of
Hariri Tribunal, nor address contributions to that body, but
would refer to the relevant UNSC resolution.

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Pakistan
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6. (C) The GAERC will not publish any conclusions on
Pakistan, Schieb said, but he did anticipate an exchange of
views on Pakistan, particularly on President Musharraf's
recent trip to Europe.

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Sudan/Dafur/Chad
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7. (C) Schieb stressed that the "usual" concerns on delays
would be made regarding UNAMID, as well as concern for the
deteriorating situation in Sudan and Chad. He said that of
note is that the GAERC would take a decision on January 28 to
launch an ESDP mission to Chad, enabling the deployment of
troops.

BERLIN 00000113 002 OF 002



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Kenya
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8. (C) Lastly, Schieb said that the GAERC would issue
conclusions on Kenya, in particular, expressing concern over
the situation and calling on the parties to resolve the
conflict peacefully.

TIMKEN JR