Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1873
2008-12-12 10:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
Cable title:  

READ-OUT OF U.S.-EU TASK FORCE MEETING, DECEMBER 8,

Tags:  PREL ECON ETRD EUN 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 BRUSSELS 001873 

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SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD EUN
SUBJECT: READ-OUT OF U.S.-EU TASK FORCE MEETING, DECEMBER 8,
BRUSSELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 BRUSSELS 001873

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD EUN
SUBJECT: READ-OUT OF U.S.-EU TASK FORCE MEETING, DECEMBER 8,
BRUSSELS


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.S.-EU Task Force covered a range of top
priority political, economic, and other bilateral issues during a
December 8 meeting in Brussels. The U.S. team was led by EUR/PDAS
Marcie Ries and USEU Charge Christopher Murray, and included NSC
Director for Europe Kristina Kvien and other Department and USEU
attendees. The EU team was led by the French Presidency, with
Elisabeth Beton-Delegue, Director for the Americas at the French
Foreign Ministry, Marek Grela, Americas Director for the General
Secretariat of the Council, and Alan Seatter, North Americas
Director for the European Commission (EC). Representatives of the
incoming Czech presidency also attended.

2. (SBU) On Kosovo, both sides focused on EULEX with broad
agreement as to its significance. All agreed on the scale of the
challenge in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the need to improve
governance, with the EU side wishing for more public backing for its
engagement in Afghanistan. The Georgia discussion focused on
incidences of violence, modalities for EU assistance, and the need
to keep pressure on Russia. Discussion of Congo was minimal because
of parallel GAERC discussions. All agreed on the importance of
ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, with the EC emphasizing
the humanitarian difficulties in Gaza. On Iran, the EU emphasized
its approach of talking to Iran while maintaining sanctions. The EU
said it has "zero" influence on Burma, and we should engage India
and China. On economic issues, both sides expressed support for the
Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC); discussed the importance of
addressing, under the rubric of terrorist finance, the problem of
charitable groups; and briefly touched on aid to industrial sectors,
including the automobile industry. The EU asked for close
cooperation on climate issues if China and India were to be brought
along. The Task Force also addressed the Visa Waiver Program, with
the EU expressing hope that all EU members would eventually be
eligible; discussed the benefits of the Air Transport Agreement;
exchanged concerns about the 100% scanning initiative to improve
container security; and expressed hope that the three remaining EU
member states would soon ratify the U.S.-EU Mutual Legal Assistance
and Extradition Agreements. END SUMMARY.


--------------
KOSOVO
--------------


3. (SBU) Marek Grela, Council Director for Transatlantic Relations,
noting that EULEX would officially take to the field the following
day under a UN umbrella, said that there were still some problems to
be worked out with the UN regarding transfer of assets. EULEX's
approach, he said, would be to make practical decisions so as to
avoid provocations and to make progress on the ground. PDAS Ries
reiterated that it was important that EULEX deploy throughout
Kosovo, and welcomed U.S. participation in the mission, citing that
61 Americans had already transitioned to EULEX, with 19 more to do
so on December 9.
--------------
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
--------------

4. (SBU) Noting that Afghanistan is desperately impoverished after
25 years of war, PDAS Ries asked that the EU think generously of
Afghanistan when formulating its 2010-2013 aid package. Ries said
the U.S. appreciated the increase in the EUPOL contingent, adding
that rule-of-law missions are vital in post-conflict countries. She
encouraged EUPOL deployment to extend to the district level.

5. (SBU) Elisabeth Beton-Delegue, the French Presidency chair and
MFA Americas Director, said that one-half of EUPOL would deploy to
the regional and provincial levels. (Note: The other half would
presumably be in Kabul; there was no mention of district-level
deployment.) Anything that could be done to improve governance and
the ability of the GOA to provide basic services would create
"positive evolution." The solution to Afghanistan, she added, is
not military, and she proposed identifying moderate Taliban who
might constitute a legitimate political force.

6. (SBU) Alan Seatter, the Commission's RELEX Director for North
America, said it was hard to win public support in Europe for the
EU's investments in Afghanistan. Therefore, the Commission's
emphasis is on effectiveness rather than quantity, which can best be
achieved in the justice and police sector, given the importance of
governance. The Commission would provide 15-25m Euros for the 2009
elections, to be spent primarily on civic education and voter
outreach programs. EU election observation would also be funded;
however, fielding observers would depend on the security situation.

7. (SBU) There is much that can be done in Pakistan, and PDAS Ries
challenged the U.S. and EU to "get it right." Post-Mumbai,
terrorist camps need to be shut down. Looking ahead to the Friends
of Pakistan experts' meeting in January, she said we hoped to have
EU support for the proposed Frontier Trust Fund, and for a Border
Minister to manage it. Ries recalled A/S Boucher's recent visit to
Brussels to promote the donors' conference, noting that the IMF
identified a USD 4 billion funding shortfall.

8. (SBU)Beton-Delegue said the EU was hopeful India could play a
constructive role. Seatter said that the European Commission has
increased funding of rural development and education in the border
provinces of Pakistan, which could carry over into the border region

BRUSSELS 00001873 002 OF 006


of Afghanistan, analogous to what the World Bank is doing. The EC
is also working in counter-terrorism (CT),supporting the EU'S CT
envoy Gilles de Kerchove and improvements in judicial authority and
media. The Commission strongly backs the Friends of Pakistan.
Seatter made the point that monitoring and accounting for funding
was a preoccupation he shared with the U.S.

--------------
GEORGIA/RUSSIA
--------------


9. (SBU) On Georgia, violent incidents and accountability were the
major preoccupations. Beton-Delegue said the EU was worried about
the increase in incidents. The European Monitoring Mission (EUMM)
in Georgia, she continued, is encouraging the parties to reduce
tension, avoid provocations, and increase stability; however,
difficult communication with the Russians was a complicating factor.
She said she hoped, nonetheless, that the Geneva talks will provide
for an agreed mechanism for dealing with, and reducing the number
of, incidents. The French presidency chair also alluded to a
pending EU-Georgia MOU (note: likely on the provision of aid, with
an EU-desired clause waiving the application of Georgia's
newly-enacted legislation criminalizing aid to Abkhazia and South
Ossetia in the case of EU humanitarian assistance). Beton-Delegue
said she hoped the U.S. would support the inquiry into the genesis
of the conflict and Talia Vini, who is conducting it. She said the
EU was working toward a free trade agreement with Georgia. She
characterized the resumed Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia as
the best way to promote Europe's own interests, adding that the
talks provided a forum for reminding Russia of Georgia's territorial
integrity. Beton-Delegue said, too, that it was a forum to make
points about Iran.

10. (SBU) Alan Seatter put emphasis on the EU's efforts to ensure
Georgia's proper use of the funds pledged at the successful donors'
conference (held in October),a point Beton-Delegue previewed in her
remarks. Seatter expressed doubts about rule of law in Georgia and
the "democratic nature" of the government. The Commission was also
concerned about the high level of defense expenditures in Georgia,
he said. Seatter said free trade would be prominent, certainly in
the new Eastern Partnership Initiative, but also as a result of the
extraordinary European Council meeting on Georgia of September 1.
Georgia had to be coached so that it would be prepared for an FTA,
however, and the EC would help. In that vein, the Commission was
looking at Georgia's "GSP-plus" request, Seatter said, and would
respond by the end of the year.

11. (SBU) PDAS Ries expressed concern about the increased number of
violent incidents, as reported by the EUMM around Abkhazia. She
also noted the lack of humanitarian aid getting into Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, and drew attention to the plight of IDPs in winter.
In the context of Russia's failure to fulfill its cease-fire
commitments, Ries said it was important to renew the mandate of OSCE
monitors. Underscoring the U.S. commitment to Georgia's recovery,
Ries said USD 850m of our one billion-dollar pledge would be
obligated this year. She added that it continued to be critical to
remind the Russians of the importance of fulfilling all their
commitments.

12. (SBU) Speaking for the Council, Marek Grela said that, despite
Russia's lack of cooperation and its veto in the OSCE and UN, it was
important to use Geneva and the Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement (PCA) talks. Building confidence in this way, he said,
was the best way to control violent incidents. He mentioned
discussions with the UN SYG about the role of the EU in Abkhazia.
Ries agreed that Geneva constituted an important venue for
addressing the matter of increased incidents.

--------------
DR CONGO
--------------


13. (SBU) Congo being a significant subject of discussion among EU
foreign ministers at the GAERC that same day, there was not much
latitude for discussion at the Task Force. "We are not ambitious
today," is how Marek Grela put it. PDAS Ries said the U.S.
appreciated EU, and especially French, cooperation at the Security
Council to increase MONUC's troop level. She added that the EU's
envoy for the Great Lakes region, Roeland van de Geer, was dedicated
to finding a diplomatic solution in North Kivu. She mentioned A/S
Jendayi Frazer's visits to the region, Tripartite Plus, and the UN
Secretary General's envoy Olusegun Obasanjo as useful in that regard
as well. For her part, Beton-Delegue said the difficult situation
in Congo would need continued U.S./EU collaboration, "even when
African diplomacy takes over." The Commission was silent on this
issue.
--------------
Middle East
--------------


14. (SBU) The Presidency's Beton-Delegue opened the discussion by
noting that the GAERC, meeting at the same time as the Task Force,
would reaffirm the importance of the Middle East Peace Process. She

BRUSSELS 00001873 003 OF 006


noted the EU does a lot to support the Palestinian Authority (PA),
and believes it important the Quartet continue to support the
process, including through weighing in on negotiations, supporting
the PA on police, pressuring Israel to stop settlements, addressing
the problems of violence and the closure of Gaza. We need, she
said, to support Abbas and the Egyptian efforts at Palestinian
reconciliation, and we should not let time slip away, as delay would
only help the extremists.


15. (SBU) The Commission's Alan Seatter, took note of efforts to
support PA President Abu Mazen and PM Salaam Fayed, but said the
difficult situation in Gaza was undermining that support. He noted
that only 2% of the needed cooking gas and 8% of chlorine needed to
purify water had been let in over ten days. People were beginning
to cook in mud ovens, and there was concern about the possibility of
cholera and Hepatitis A outbreaks. The EC was to pay salaries that
day directly to teachers and doctors, but there was no cash. This,
he said, undermines the credibility of Salaam Fayed.


16. (SBU) PDAS Ries responded that we know the MEPP is a top
priority, and reviewed some progress we have seen recently. She
noted the bipartisan support in the U.S. for the Annapolis process,
and noted the request by the parties that the international
community respect their efforts.


17. (SBU) Beton-Delegue noted our close proximity of views on
Lebanon, and said the EU has pressed Syria on concrete progress in
opening an embassy in Beirut, demarcating the borders, and
addressing the issue of Lebanese detainees. In the context of some
progress, discussion on the Association Agreement with Syria would
go forward. She said the EU favored direct U.S. contact with Syria;
and praised the indirect Israel-Syrian talks. The EC's Seatter said
that although the U.S. was wary of the EU's increased contacts with
Syria on the Association Agreement, there were reformist elements,
particularly on economic issues, whom the process would encourage.



18. (SBU) PDAS Ries said it was important that, as the EU moved
forward on economic issues, it keep Syria focused also on important
political matters, including compliance with IAEA agreements,
stopping support for radical Palestinians, interdicting foreign
fighters going to Iraq, and improving relations with and stopping
interference in Lebanon. She noted that our allies in Lebanon are
concerned that EU engagement with Syria signaled wavering support
for an independent Lebanon. In response to Ries' question about
impressions in the EU about Syria based on recent discussions, the
Council Secretariat's Marek Grela said there appeared to be some
'space' for influencing reform, while Seatter said it was clear
there is a moderate element that can be influenced. He said the EC
makes it clear there can be progress on the Association Agreement
only if there is progress on political issues, but the response
depends on the interlocutor.

--------------
Iran
--------------


19. (SBU) On Iran, the Council's Grela said "there is no good
news," noting the list of problems of enrichment, hostile rhetoric,
and support for extremists. He reiterated the EU approach of
talking to Iran while imposing sanctions. He noted that, with the
growing economic crisis and drop in oil prices, Iran would feel the
impact of sanctions more than before. Beton-Delegue said the EU
would continue to be ready to negotiate, while doing the necessary
on sanctions. Ries responded that, for the U.S., the emphasis
remains the same, with a focus on multi-lateral diplomacy. She
expressed appreciation for the EU adopting regulations implementing
UNSCR 1803, and asked the EU to adopt complementary measures. She
noted Iran was using evasion tactics to get around some sanctions.
She urged that the EU keep up the pressure on Iran and give the
sanctions time to work.

--------------
Burma
--------------


20. (SBU) PDAS Ries stressed the importance of maintaining a united
front on Burma. The U.S. view is that there should only be a Ban Ki
Moon visit if there is something positive from the regime. She
asked, as the EU restructured its target list of names and entities
subject to sanctions, that it take care that the changes not be
portrayed as a weakening or lessening of pressure. Beton-Delegue
admitted Burma was a "complicated" issue in the EU, and that it was
difficult to reach consensus, especially on sanctions. It was hard,
furthermore, to convince China that it would be in its interest to
promote change. Alan Seatter stated bluntly that the EU had "zero
influence" on Burma, arguing we need to mount an effort to convince
India and China to look at Burma in different terms. Seatter
accepted Ries' offer to talk to OFAC about sanctions
implementation.


***********************
* Missing Section 004 *
***********************


BRUSSELS 00001873 005 OF 006



26. (SBU) PDAS Ries suggested a comprehensive review of our
bilateral energy cooperation to prepare for the 2009 summit. She
asked about EU interest in a special statement on energy and climate
as an outcome of the Summit, but noted that this would need to be
decided by the new administration. Alan Seatter noted that there
was a very good, ambitious statement on energy at the last U.S/EU
summit, and suggested energy efficiency in buildings affords a good
scope for work. On bio-fuels, he proposed picking two or three
flagship projects on which to work together. He expressed
appreciation for U.S. cooperation in the Caspian Sea area. All
sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation on energy
security.

--------------
Visa Waiver Program
--------------


27. (SBU) PDAS Ries commended the efforts of the newly admitted
countries, noting they contributed also to raising security
standards for travel. She said the ESTA program is not a visa, that
judgments are based on the traveler and not the country, and will
further enhance the security and convenience of travelers. She
concluded that the procedure amounted to filling out an I94 form,
only in advance of travel.


28. (SBU) (SBU) Beton-Delegue responded that the EU's goal was free
and secure travel for all EU citizens, and she viewed it as positive
that six EU member states were admitted to the VWP on November 17.
Seatter said the Commission was extremely gratified at President
Bush's personal efforts toward the ultimate goal. Noting the
bilateral and multilateral approaches, Seatter said the EC was
aiming for a "light agreement" via the latter on behalf of all EU
citizens.

--------------
Air Transport Agreement
--------------


29. (SBU)The Commission's Alan Seatter opened by praising the Air
Transport Agreements as a good way to increase cooperation, noting
they have brought an increase in 35 million passengers, USD 25
billion in revenues, and thousands more jobs. There has been an 8%
increase in transatlantic traffic since the first stage took effect.
He noted the EC held a forum with American unions on the agreement
in recent days, showing it was not a threat to American labor
rights. The EC will hold another forum in Brussels to build on that
effort. The EC will give a push on the issue at the next Summit so
there is a good start to the second phase.


30. (SBU) PDAS Ries noted that, regarding the EU's emission trading
scheme, the U.S. protests the inclusion of third-country operators
without the consent of their governments. It is, she said, a global
matter, that needs a global solution. Seatter responded that air
traffic was one of the fastest growing areas of greenhouse gases,
and that we need to address the problem. The EU tried to deal with
the issue within the UN but got nowhere, so it "tried to get its
partners attention by taking a different route." The EC, he said,
is happy to work with ICAO on the matter.

--------------
Secure Trade
--------------


31. (SBU) PDAS Ries expressed understanding that the EU does not
like the 100% scanning initiatives, but urged that the EU work with
us to make the program a success because of our overlapping interest
in improved container security. Beton-Delegue said the EU agrees to
cooperate, but fears a U.S. unilateral decision to go forward on
100% scanning. Seatter added that the EU has a problem with the
legislation because they believe it is ineffective and that there
are better ways to address the problem. The EU is negotiating with
Switzerland and Norway to make sure WCO controls are in place for
all of Europe; and are also working with its Eastern neighbors on
the issue. The EU believes a risk-based approach is better, and
hopes it can get there next year.

--------------
JHA-MLA Extradition Agreements
And HLCG
--------------

32. (SBU) The Task Force touched briefly on Justice and Home Affairs
(JHA) issues, with PDAS Ries noting that the Senate has approved and
President Bush would soon sign the instruments of ratification for
the U.S.-EU Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Agreements. She
urged the EU to press the remaining EU countries to finish their
national ratification procedures so the agreements could take
effect. Seatter said the EC was "doing all it can" to press the
three remaining states.


33. (SBU) PDAS Ries asked that the upcoming JHA Ministerial

BRUSSELS 00001873 006 OF 006


(December 12) give added momentum to the High Level Contact Group
(HLCG) as it seeks common principles in sharing personal data for
law enforcement purposes. Alan Seatter echoed the wish for a strong
endorsement of the HLCG at the JHA Ministerial.


34. (U) This message has not been cleared by PDAS Ries.

Murray