Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NICOSIA697
2008-08-29 12:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:  

CYPRUS WORRIED BY RUSSIA'S RECENT RECOGNITION OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM CY RU GE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1657
RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHNC #0697 2421204
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 291204Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9107
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1207
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000697 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CY RU GE
SUBJECT: CYPRUS WORRIED BY RUSSIA'S RECENT RECOGNITION OF

S. OSSETIA/ ABKHAZIA

REF: A. SECSTATE 91894

B. NICOSIA 668

C. NICOSIA 660

Classified By: Ambassador Frank Urbancic, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000697

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CY RU GE
SUBJECT: CYPRUS WORRIED BY RUSSIA'S RECENT RECOGNITION OF

S. OSSETIA/ ABKHAZIA

REF: A. SECSTATE 91894

B. NICOSIA 668

C. NICOSIA 660

Classified By: Ambassador Frank Urbancic, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Per Ref A, the Ambassador, in his August 28
introductory call on Cypriot MFA Permanent Secretary
(D-equivalent) Nicholas Emiliou, condemned Russia's recent
aggression in the Caucasus and August 26 recognition of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. Further, he raised Washington's hope
that Cyprus adopt a stronger tone vis-a-vis Moscow's
bellicosity, both in its bilateral dealings and within
European Union, United Nations, OSCE and other multilateral
institutions' deliberations. The U.S. was not demanding that
Cyprus take extreme steps like breaking relations, the
Ambassador clarified. But the international community could
not allow Russia's actions go without comment, lest they have
a deleterious effect on the wider, already-tenuous situation
in the region.


2. (C) Emiliou responded that Cyprus was gravely concerned
over the latest developments in Georgia and Russia's
recognition of the two breakaway regions, especially given
the political situation in Cyprus. The GOC was committed to
territorial integrity, and he cited FM Kyprianou's August 26
and 28 public statements that focused on this principle, as
well as recent messages from Brussels, as proof. Emiliou
assured the Ambassador that Nicosia would not remain silent,
especially since there were vital principles at stake.
Unfortunately, Kosovo had served as a "precursor" to Ossetia
and Abkhazia, he asserted, and given the Russians a concrete
argument for their actions. Regarding the future of Moscow's
relations with Nicosia, Emiliou argued that Russia was an
important partner in many respects, and that it was vital the
GOC maintain a level of political engagement. The Ambassador
rejected the Kosovo comparison out-of-hand, noting the
international community's long involvement there and its
numerous, earnest efforts to reach a mutually-agreeable
political solution. Emiliou had made up his mind, however,
and replied flatly that "we must agree to disagree."


3. (C) Comment: Refs B and C outline Cyprus's rock/hard
place dilemma over Georgia, torn between supporting
territorial integrity -- in Cyprus's case, an existential
issue -- and backing its old friends in Moscow. Its
heartburn increased after Russia's August 26 recognition of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Cypriot MFA officials claim
came as a total surprise, despite the Russians' near-daily
(of late) presence at the Ministry. Moscow's latest move
could induce even the GOC to alter its stand slightly,
perhaps under cover of EU deliberations such as the September
1 special session of the European Council. Emiliou's stony
discussion of the subject did not give us much hope, however,
that Cyprus will criticize Russia openly or do much more than
offer platitudes about the principle of Georgia's territorial
integrity.
Urbancic