HMG LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING ON GAINS OF NATO

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001017 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EU UK SUBJECT: HMG LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING ON GAINS OF NATO BUCHAREST SUMMIT REF: A. LONDON 0845 ¶B. LONDON 4/8 DAILY REPORT Classified By: Political Counselor Rick Mills for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C/NF) According to FCO Deputy Director for Security Policy Chris Holtby, HMG shares U.S. views that the results of the NATO Bucharest Summit were better than expected going in, and looked forward to working closely with us to move forward soon on the outcomes which fell short of expectations. At the top of the list for the UK is Macedonian accession. PM Brown was deeply disappointed that the Greeks would not move on a compromise name, and wants to re-energize UN, Brussels and bilateral processes. The UK agrees with the U.S. position that the invitation does not have to wait for another summit; it can be extended at any NAC as soon as the Greeks agree. HMG is also determined not to let the name issue interfere with Macedonian progress towards EU membership. Georgia/Ukraine MAP -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) Holtby said that the UK had made clear to the USG at many levels, in the run-up to the Summit, that the Germans would not be convinced to extend MAP to Georgia and Ukraine at Bucharest, and that maximum effort should therefore be focused on achieving the most foward-leaning language possible in the communiqu. Like the U.S., the UK was pleased with the language, particularly the definitive clause indicating Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become NATO members. Holtby claimed UK efforts at the Summit were key to Merkel's agreement on this language. That said, HMG's view is that quite a bit of U.S.-German fence mending will need to be done over the next few months if we are to achieve MAP for Georgia and Ukraine by December. Other Issues -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) PM Brown was pleased that initial reactions to the UK proposed "helicopter trust fund" (ref A) were positive. Holtby said that the UK would be distributing more detailed information to the NAC and PSC, as well as briefing the April 16 NATO Capabilities Group, in anticipation of making direct appeals to partners for contributions to the fund. On France/NATO, Holtby said that he would be consulting with his French and German counterparts in Paris on April 15, and promised to provide a readout to Poloff later that week. HMG is also exploring the utility of a UK-U.S.-France trilat at the Political Directors level to discuss the way ahead on French reintegration with NATO and its impact on ESDP. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Given Brown's plummeting poll ratings at home (ref B),it is unlikely he would want to add to his problems with an ongoing spat with the U.S. on differing approaches to attaining MAP for Georgia and Ukraine. It is more likely that during his meetings with the President on April 17, he will want to focus on how to smooth things over with the Germans in order pave the way for MAP for Georgia and Ukraine by December. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm Tuttle