ROMANIA ON BOARD WITH LEBANON DEMARCHE; ON SYRIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000100

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE A. JENSEN AND FOR NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM EFIN EINV LE SY RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIA ON BOARD WITH LEBANON DEMARCHE; ON SYRIA
IN PRINCIPLE

REF: A. STATE 11025


B. STATE 10786

Classified By: Pol Counselor Ted Tanoue; Reasons 1.4(B) and (d).


1. (C) POLOFF delivered ref b demarche (and note verbale) on
February 6 to MFA Director for Middle East and Africa Mihail
Dobre. Dobre said Romania was "on board" with the U.S.
points in support of Lebanon. He added that although it was
too early to give a figure for Romania's financial support to
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Romania would make some
type of pledge or donation. He reminded that Romania
provided half-a-million Euros in 2007 (a late contribution
within the framework of the Stockholm donors conference) in
direct, bilateral assistance to Lebanon. He was confident
that the GOR would do something similar.


2. (C) POLOFF used the opportunity to inquire about planned
visits by senior Romanian officials to Damascus, pointing out
that it would be "extremely counterproductive" if Romania
unintentionally provided SARG with a window of opportunity to
argue that its international relations were "business as
usual." Poloff pointed out the importance of the U.S. and EU
member states together publicly addressing the provocative
and destabilizing influence that Damascus (and Iran) have
injected into the region. Dobre said the planned January 28
trip to Damascus by Minister of the Economy and Finance
Varujan Vosganian had been postponed because of a recent tax
dispute that required his full attention in Bucharest. Dobre
said the visit was to be rescheduled following resolution of
the tax issue, but he added that there were no plans for
either the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister to go to Syria.



3. (C) POLOFF stressed that the U.S. appeal was not/not
limited to the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister, but any
senior government officials, especially cabinet members. He
stressed that Syria must pay a price for continuing to
undermine the political and economic development and
sovereignty of Lebanon. Dobre acknowledged that the
discussion among EU members about how to deal with Syria and
Lebanon had not produced a single strategy. He added that he
had just finished consultations with France (Sarkozy visited
Bucharest earlier this week),the EU Presidency (Slovenia,
last week) and met with the Lebanese ambassador (on February
5) in order to provide Romania's inputs to the EU
Presidency's mandate regarding a statement on Syria and Iran.
He pointed out that Romania must choose between whether to
disengage and try to isolate Syria, or to stay engaged and
persuade Syria to improve its behavior and not provoke the
international community. POLOFF pointed out that a
well-orchestrated U.S. and EU policy -- working together with
other friendly countries -- to deny Syria's "business as
usual" posturing is essential if there is to be any hope for
strengthening democratic forces and holding accountable those
who murder their political opponents. Dobre said he
appreciated the U.S. position and would circulate the U.S.
points (from refs a and b). He added, however, that perhaps
the Embassy should speak directly to Minister Vosganian about
his intended travel to the region.


4. (C) On another note, Dobre said Foreign Minister
Cioroianu will be traveling to Tel Aviv and the territories
in two weeks. The MFA originally had planned for Cioroianu
to include a Beirut stop, but because of the suspension of
agrement for (former Middle East Director) Daniel Tanase, the
idea was dropped as long as Tanase remains only charge
d'affaires. Dobre acknowledged that the Syrian influence in
Lebanon was extremely negative and said "We must find a way
to get Damascus to live up to its claims. We share the U.S.
view about Syria's undesirable activities in Lebanon and
against the reformers." He also reaffirmed that he would
inform the U.S. Embassy once Romania's contribution to the
Special Tribunal was decided.


5. (C) Comment: Once again we can see the MFA's weak
influence on the other branches of the GOR. This meeting
also underscores that Romania has "special interests" in
maintaining an open door to Damascus, despite acknowledging
the problems Syria creates in the region. It is only by a
stroke of good fortune that Vosganian is not venturing to
Damascus any time soon. Mission will continue to press our
message up the GOR food chain. End comment.
TAPLIN