Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CHISINAU1075
2008-10-29 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

MOLDOVA FM: SOLVING TRANSNISTRIA WOULD

Tags:  PREL PGOV EU MD 
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RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHCH #1075/01 3031429
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 291429Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7251
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHISINAU 001075 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU MD
SUBJECT: MOLDOVA FM: SOLVING TRANSNISTRIA WOULD
SPEED EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Classified By: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHISINAU 001075

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU MD
SUBJECT: MOLDOVA FM: SOLVING TRANSNISTRIA WOULD
SPEED EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Classified By: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: In an October 24 meeting with
Ambassador, Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan
underlined Moldova's European aspirations. The
Ambassador noted that Moldova had to live up to
European standards in democracy and development.
Finding a settlement to the Transnistria problem
would speed the process, as unresolved conflict
formed a barrier to European integration.
Stratan rejected the EU decision to lump Moldova
together with other CIS states in the EU's
"Eastern Partnership" approach and argued that
Moldova should be in the Balkan package together
with countries that enjoy genuine European
prospects. Both interlocutors agreed that
economic progress would attract Transnistrian
citizens to want to join in a united Moldova.
End summary.

Important to Meet European Standards
--------------


2. (C) In an October 24 meeting FM Stratan
focused on the European dimension of Moldova's
foreign policy. The Ambassador told Stratan that
while in London for the Wilton Park Conference
the previous week, he had heard a lot of European
support for Moldova. However, noted the
Ambassador, two problems slowed Moldova's
prospects for integration. One problem was
demonstrating that Moldova was ready in
democracy, media freedom, and economic
development. The other problem was Transnistria.


3. (C) Stratan agreed, suggesting that Moldova
had made too much genuine progress to tarnish its
image now. Stratan promised Moldova would do its
best to be correct in the pre-electoral period,
the campaign and on election day.

Unsolved Transnistria Conflict Complicates the
Picture
-------------- --------------
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador suggested that the presence
of Russian troops and Russian citizens in
Transnistria could be a reason for greater EU
caution. Russia was issuing passports to many
people living in Transnistria, resulting in a
growing number of Russian citizens in this
region. There was a perception, continued the
Ambassador, that Russia could use this population
to claim Transnistria as an area of special

interest, similar to what happened "in the Black
Sea region." A sovereign Moldova doing the right
things on democratic development with no Russian
presence and no Transnistria conflict would have
an easier time with the European Union, the
Ambassador said. Now, noted the Ambassador, the
Europeans had to consider how their actions would
affect their relations with Russia.

Moldova Prefers Balkan Package to Eastern
Partnership
-------------- --------------
--------------


5. (C) Stratan complained that Moldova had been
put in the EU's Eastern Partnership, which was
associated with CIS countries. More appropriate,
he suggested, would be putting Moldova into the
Balkan package together with the countries of
South-East Europe, like Croatia, that had a real
chance at EU membership.


6. (C) Stratan noted that Romania supported
Moldova's position. During Prime Minister
Greceanii's visit to Bucharest earlier in the
week, President Basescu asserted that Moldova
should have been placed in the Balkans package.
Stratan hoped that Basescu would have the courage
to say this openly at the EU meeting in December
in the presence of 26 presidents. In comments
that suggested a warming of relations, Stratan
noted that President Voronin had invited Basescu
to come to Moldova soon. Though issues like
citizenship and Romanian passports for Moldovan

CHISINAU 00001075 002 OF 003


citizens continued to complicate the bilateral
relationship, Stratan said that Chisinau would do
its best to prevent political problems from
developing between Moldova and Romania.

The Russian Factor in the Equation
--------------


7. (C) The Ambassador noted that friends of
Moldova wanted to see the Moldovan central
government be able to exercise its authority over
all of its territory. It would be impossible for
the GOM to exercise its sovereignty while Russian
troops were on its territory; hence, we sought
the withdrawal of these forces.


8. (C) Stratan complained that Moldova did not
yet have any clear signals from the European
Union. Understanding that Moldova had no clear
promise, the Russians were trying to prevent a
settlement in order to keep Moldova dependent.
Stratan argued that the EU should make a clear
decision that Moldova was of interest and would
be in the EU someday. Stratan speculated that
the Europeans were afraid of spoiling their
relations with Russia. If Moldova made progress,
this would influence political events in Ukraine,
and then, speculated Stratan, the Russians would
do their best to create chaos in Ukraine.

Transnistria Wants European Butter with Their
Bread
-------------- --------------
--


9. (C) The Foreign Minister noted that Russia
could never offer Transnistria the material
benefits that the EU would provide. Stratan
thought Chisinau should try to attract
Transnistria's citizens with social programs.
Stratan suggested that after the elections
Moldova would need to shift tactics, pursuing not
only 5-plus-2, but additionally other economic
and social measures that would attract
Transnistria towards reunification with Moldova.
The Ambassador noted that the USG would do its
part to bring the sides together; one good
example was including a Transnistria roads
segments in the MCC compact.


10. (C) Stratan suggested that Transnistria could
best be attracted to reintegration through
economic incentives.
He noted that European trade preferences were a
genuine incentive Moldova had to offer
Transnistria. A recent statement by the
Transnistrian Chamber of Commerce commented with
some jealousy that Moldova was benefiting more
from EU preferences than Transnistria was. Now
that legitimate Transnistrian businesses were
honestly earning Euros, Stratan suggested that
Transnistrians were developing a taste for
"European butter on their bread."

"Three-Point Chaudhry Doctrine" for European
Integration
-------------- --------------
--------------


11. (C) In summing up the key points of the
meeting, the Ambassador outlined his three-point
"Chaudhry Doctrine" for Moldova's European
integration: (1) The GOM, USG and others should
continue to make the case that Moldova should be
in Europe; (2) the GOM should work on economic
and political reform, building democratic
institutions, while fighting corruption and
trafficking; (3) we should all work to find a
settlement of the Transnistria problem so that it
would not be drag on Moldova's development and
European integration.

Comment
--------------


12. (C) If the European Union held out a firmer
promise to Moldova regarding eventual membership,
Moldova could more easily resist Russian
pressures. Such a promise would also assist in
resolving the Transnistrian conflict, helping

CHISINAU 00001075 003 OF 003


convince Transnistrians that they had a better
future as part of Moldova. Moldova is caught in
a chicken and egg dilemma, as resolution of the
Transnistria conflict would improve its European
prospects, and progress towards EU membership
would help resolve the conflict.


13. (C) Moldova's future is undecided. Will it
become a modern European country which upholds EU
standards of governance, respect for its citizens
and support for business and economic growth, or
will it fall under Russia's shadow and be content
to do the minimum necessary to appease its former
master? A significant increase in USG assistance
and a promise of future EU membership would make
it easy for Moldovans to undertake short-term,
painful decisions for a clear long-term benefit.

CHAUDHRY