GERMANY REACTS STRONGLY TO RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001187

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018
TAGS: MOPS OSCE PHUM PREL UN GG RS GM EU
SUBJECT: GERMANY REACTS STRONGLY TO RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF
ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA

Classified By: ACTING DCM JEFFREY RATHKE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: German officials reacted strongly to
Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia August 26.
See para 7 for the full text of a German government
statement on the matter. During a visit to Estonia today,
Chancellor Merkel said the recognition was "absolutely
unacceptable" and expected the EU to take a similar stance.
The Russian Ambassador delivered Chancellery Deputy NSA Rolf
Nikel a letter stating the Russian intent to recognize the
two provinces. Nikel reportedly responded strongly and said
the Russian attempt to topple the Georgian regime had failed.
German officials reiterated that Russia must face
consequences for its actions in Georgia and remained
supportive of Georgian President Saakashvili. END SUMMARY


2. (C) Chancellery director-equivalent Christoph Israng
related that the Russian Ambassador used extremely strong
language in delivering the letter, asserting that Georgian
President Saakashvili had tried to implement a "final
solution" to the South Ossetia question. The Russian
Ambassador also claimed that Georgia was "an American
project" that had failed. Nikel reportedly responded that it
was the Russian attempt to force Saakashvili from power that
had failed and took offense at some of the Russian
Ambassador's comments. Nikel later informed the A/DCM that
the Russian move was "out of line," unacceptable, and
contrary to international law.


3. (C) Nikel said that Merkel, on the road in Estonia August
26, had worked with her traveling staff to amend her Tallinn
speech. (Relevant portions emailed to EUR and NSC.) Merkel
called the recognition "absolutely unacceptable."
She also said it "contradicts my view of..the principle of
territorial integrity, which is a basic principle in
international law." Nikel told A/DCM there would be
consequences for Russia. The German cabinet holds its weekly
meeting August 27 and will discuss Georgia, but elaboration
of specific German steps will happen only after the September
1 EU Council meeting, according to Nikel. Despite
difficulties with Russia, the German Government reportedly
intends to go ahead with October 2 government consultations
with Russia. Chancellor Merkel and four ministers would
participate. This lineup reportedly is pared down from
original plans. Social events planned for the meeting
likewise have been struck from the schedule.


4. (C) During an August 25 meeting with visiting Congressman
Dana Rohrabacher, Nikel repeatedly emphasized that Russia's
actions (even prior to recognition) needed to be answered
strongly or the Russians would conclude from events in
Georgia that might makes right. Merkel today reiterated her
demand that the Russians leave Georgia proper and remove the
checkpoints from the zones around South Ossetia. Although
Nikel acknowledged that stable economic relations between
Russia and Germany are important, he said that international
law, German values, and German interests all argued against
business as usual. A/DCM today stressed the importance of
the NAC meeting tomorrow and the need to remain in contact
with Germany for a good result.


5. (C) Nikel told Congressman Rohrabacher that Germany would
continue to support Saakashvili even though Germany is not a
"100 percent fan" of the Georgian President. In Nikel's
view, Saakashvili's fall from power would represent the
Russians achieving their ultimate objective in the conflict.
A Georgian Embassy contact in a separate conversation told
Poloff that a leadership change may be desirable after things
calmed down, because, in the diplomat's assessment,
Saakashvili bore a share of the blame for the armed conflict.


6. (C) SPD Chairman Kurt Beck was quoted in German press
reports August 26 criticizing the UK and Poland for their
reaction to the Russian invasion of Georgia, but without
condemning Russian actions. A/DCM raised this with SPD party
officials and Deputy Chairman of the SPD Bundestag Caucus
Walter Kolbow. The SPD official said Beck was responding to
a question and his comments were taken out of context. A/DCM
suggested that it would be helpful for the SPD to clarify
Beck's position, to avoid any unintended impression of the
Chairman's view. Kolbow did not defend Beck's
characterization of the issue, but likewise stressed the
SPD's desire to maintain contact with Russia, even if Russian
actions in Georgia were unacceptable.


7. (U) Below follows an unofficial Embassy translation of the
Government statement on Georgia August 26.


BERLIN 00001187 002 OF 002


"Recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is unacceptable"

The situation in Georgia was a key issue during Merkel's
visit to Estonia. Angela Merkel emphasized together with
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip the importance of a united
position of the European Union on Russia.

The Russian recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is in
violation of international law according to Chancellor Merkel
and "absolutely unacceptable". Russia's activities are
contrary to the principle of territorial integrity, one of
the fundamental principles of international law. Merkel said
that now is the time to discuss the common basis of values
with Russia. There can be no simple "business as usual". At
the same time, Merkel regrets that so far no UN resolution
has come about.

"I believe that the entire European Union will speak in this
direction," Merkel said after the meeting with Ansip. Next
week, heads of state and government of the European Union
convene for a special summit on the conflict in the Caucasus.
This European Council is to send a signal that the EU will
stand by Georgia's side to help on reconstruction. "As
European Union, we must do everything we can to assist both
Georgia and Ukraine in the context of our Neighborhood
Policy," said the Chancellor.

Relationship with Russia Put to Test

The chancellor emphasized in Tallinn again that the six point
plan presented by the European Union must be implemented
"immediately/right away." She agrees with Minister President
Ansip on this point.

Ansip added that the EU's relationship with Russia has to be
key issue at the upcoming special summit.

The Russian forces should immediately withdraw from occupied
territories, Merkel demanded. It was also important that
more international observers get access to Georgia: "In
order to shape the regulations in the so-called buffer and
security zone, so that the presence of Russian forces there
becomes obsolete," the Chancellor added.



TIMKEN JR