Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NICOSIA715
2008-09-05 15:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
GYMNICH: CYPRUS AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON
how-toVZCZCXRO6392 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHNC #0715 2491532 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051532Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9127 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1217 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000715
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CY
SUBJECT: GYMNICH: CYPRUS AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON
MIDDLE EAST, DISAGREES ON SERBIA
REF: SECSTATE 93272
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000715
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CY
SUBJECT: GYMNICH: CYPRUS AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON
MIDDLE EAST, DISAGREES ON SERBIA
REF: SECSTATE 93272
1. (SBU) Per reftel, POLOFF demarched MFA European Division
diplomat Nikos Panayiotou regarding issues likely to be
raised at the September 5-6 Gymnich informal meeting of EU
foreign ministers. Panayiotou stated the GOC supported the
Middle East peace process and legitimate Palestinian
Authority institutions, and highlighted the GOC's 2 million
USD donation to the Palestinian police for training. With
regards to the EU Security Strategy, he noted that the 2003
strategy was "relevant and valued," and advocated updating
the elements that needed to be improved in lieu of revamping
the whole strategy.
2. (SBU) On transatlantic relations, the GOC favored
discussing and sharing views and focusing on meeting common
threats. With regards to improving EU-NATO cooperation, the
GOC was concerned it would face "specific problems from
specific NATO members," in other words, Turkey. The GOC
feared being excluded from discussions between the two
institutions, Panayiotou continued. Although Cyprus had not
taken part in the Bosnia missions for specific reasons, the
government felt Turkey would try to exclude Cyprus from
participating in any joint EU-NATO operation, regardless of
whether it was civilian or military in orientation.
3. (SBU) Regarding Serbia and its opposition to Kosovo's
independence, the GOC position was clear: it was
"inconsistent" to tell Belgrade that it could not pursue all
available international legal options available, including
seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ, when Serbia was
"clearly cooperating" with the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) by handing over
suspected war criminals. Panayiotou re-stated that Cyprus
had no intention to recognize Kosovo.
4. (SBU) Last, in discussing Pakistan and Afghanistan, the
GOC was in "broad agreement" over the importance of
stabilizing those countries. Panayiotou thought Pakistan
might stabilize somewhat after its upcoming elections,
allowing it to fight terrorism more effectively.
Urbancic
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CY
SUBJECT: GYMNICH: CYPRUS AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON
MIDDLE EAST, DISAGREES ON SERBIA
REF: SECSTATE 93272
1. (SBU) Per reftel, POLOFF demarched MFA European Division
diplomat Nikos Panayiotou regarding issues likely to be
raised at the September 5-6 Gymnich informal meeting of EU
foreign ministers. Panayiotou stated the GOC supported the
Middle East peace process and legitimate Palestinian
Authority institutions, and highlighted the GOC's 2 million
USD donation to the Palestinian police for training. With
regards to the EU Security Strategy, he noted that the 2003
strategy was "relevant and valued," and advocated updating
the elements that needed to be improved in lieu of revamping
the whole strategy.
2. (SBU) On transatlantic relations, the GOC favored
discussing and sharing views and focusing on meeting common
threats. With regards to improving EU-NATO cooperation, the
GOC was concerned it would face "specific problems from
specific NATO members," in other words, Turkey. The GOC
feared being excluded from discussions between the two
institutions, Panayiotou continued. Although Cyprus had not
taken part in the Bosnia missions for specific reasons, the
government felt Turkey would try to exclude Cyprus from
participating in any joint EU-NATO operation, regardless of
whether it was civilian or military in orientation.
3. (SBU) Regarding Serbia and its opposition to Kosovo's
independence, the GOC position was clear: it was
"inconsistent" to tell Belgrade that it could not pursue all
available international legal options available, including
seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ, when Serbia was
"clearly cooperating" with the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) by handing over
suspected war criminals. Panayiotou re-stated that Cyprus
had no intention to recognize Kosovo.
4. (SBU) Last, in discussing Pakistan and Afghanistan, the
GOC was in "broad agreement" over the importance of
stabilizing those countries. Panayiotou thought Pakistan
might stabilize somewhat after its upcoming elections,
allowing it to fight terrorism more effectively.
Urbancic