GERMANY EXPECTS RESUMPTION OF EU PCA NEGOTIATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001526 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018 TAGS: EUN PREL PGOV GG RS SUBJECT: GERMANY EXPECTS RESUMPTION OF EU PCA NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA; UNCLEAR VIEW ON NEW RUSSIA SECURITY PROPOSAL REF: STATE 119280 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR STAN OTTO FOR REASON S 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel points to MFA Head of the Russia and Ukraine Division Ernst Reichel. Reichel expected the resumption of PCA negotiations to be approved at a ministers' lunch today during the GAERC, and did not share the concern that Russian President Medvedev's security proposal was an attempt to divide the U.S. from Europe. According to Reichel, the French presidency is arguing that no formal decision is required and that general agreement is sufficient. Reichel expects only Lithuania and possibly Poland to oppose the resumption. In Germany's view, new developments with regard to the August 12 and September 8 cease-fire agreements are unlikely, and it is difficult to "see what can be won by waiting longer" to resume PCA negotiations. Therefore, Germany supports moving forward in light of what Russia has fulfilled from the agreements (i.e., moving out of Georgia proper and the buffer zones),and Germany does not interpret what remains (i.e., troops levels, the Upper Kodori Valley, and Akhalgori) as grounds for continuing the suspension of PCA negotiations. Reichel agreed that Germany would continue to pressure Russia for OSCE and EUMM access to the two breakaway provinces. ¶2. (C) With regard to the Russian proposal for a new pan-European security treaty, Reichel emphasized that the Russians want the U.S. and Canada to be part of a conference to discuss the proposal. Reichel expressed the view that the Russian agenda is likely a reaction to NATO expansion and missile defense and not an attempt to cut the U.S. and Canada out of European security. Reichel, himself, questioned why the U.S. perceived this as an attempt to divide the U.S. from Europe. (NOTE: During earlier conversations, other contacts at the MFA and Chancellery agreed that the Russian proposal is an attempt to sideline the U.S.; the Chancellery is especially worried by this prospect). Reichel agreed that the Russian proposal contains various principles that contradict Russia's past and continuing actions in Georgia (i.e., refusal to allow EUMM and OSCE access and continued non-compliance with the cease-fire agreements). However, he argued that the conference would provide a forum to point out such contradictions. Before a conference could occur, Reichel suggested a process of confidence building by which the participants could be assured that Russia would honor whatever commitments it undertook at the conference. TIMKEN JR