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. -------------- Western Balkans -------------- ¶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. -------------- Iran -------------- ¶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. -------------- Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process -------------- ¶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. -------------- Lebanon -------------- ¶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. -------------- Pakistan -------------- ¶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. -------------- Sudan/Dafur/Chad -------------- ¶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 -------------- Kenya -------------- ¶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