GOM CONSIDERING EXPELLING IRI AND NDI

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000731 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018 TAGS: PGOV KDEM MD SUBJECT: GOM CONSIDERING EXPELLING IRI AND NDI Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Rudolf V. Perina for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) REF: Chisinau 730 ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Government of Moldova (GOM)is planning to ask IRI and NDI to leave the country. The decision was taken at a Presidential meeting July 8. Deputy Foreign Minister Ostalep called in Embassy rep and suggested that President Voronin might change his mind if warned directly of the dire consequences to the bilateral relationship of taking such a step. End Summary. MFA Asks How the USG Would Respond -------------- ¶2. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Ostalep convened Pol/Econ Chief on July 9 to float a trial balloon, asking what the USG reaction would be if the GOM were to ask IRI and NDI to leave. Ostalep said that a decision to move in this direction had been taken the previous day in a meeting with President Voronin. ¶3. (C) Pol/Econ Chief responded that such a step would do irreparable damage to the bilateral relationship, destroying Moldova's image of a country moving towards European integration. Kicking out two well-respected American organizations would put Voronin in a class with Lukashenko and Karimov in American eyes. Pol/Econ Chief said it was too early to predict exactly what measures would be taken, but mentioned that Washington would consider all options in its response, including withdrawing assistance (including the MCC program). If Moldova proceeded, she continued, the GOM would regret the move. MFA Suggests Immediate Meeting with President -------------- ¶4. (C) Ostalep said that he would immediately prepare a report for President Voronin warning that such a step would have dire consequences and advising against it. He complained that Voronin was listening to advisors who had not even considered the negative USG reaction. Ostalep also suggested that Charge Perina should immediately seek a meeting with President Voronin to warn him about the consequences if GOM goes ahead with asking IRI and NDI to leave. Ostalep expressed some confidence that it might still be possible to turn the decision around if the Charge were to immediately engage with the president. ¶5. (C) Following the meeting with Ostalep, Pol/Econ Chief received a call from NDI asking for a meeting. They had just heard from Social Democratic Party Leader Braghis that the GOM wants to expel the organization. According to Braghis, the decision would be taken by the Parliament. He had said the action could come as early as Friday. However, Deputy Foreign Minister Ostalep had suggested to Embassy that the procedure would involve a decree so it is not clear yet how the GOM would proceed, if they choose to do so. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) It was clear from the recent press coverage that the Government of Moldova was adopting a very hardline position against IRI and NDI (see reftel). We believe that Voronin's conspiratorial mindset has genuinely led him to believe that NDI and IRI, and perhaps the USG, wish to promote regime change in Moldova via the 2009 elections. We have urgently requested a meeting with Voronin and/or his chief political advisor Marc Tkaciuk to try to avert such a disastrous blow to U.S.-Moldovan relations. We will also informally and in general terms advise our EU colleagues of our concerns at a previously scheduled meeting of donor countries on July 10. PERINA