NO THREATS IN RUSSIAN AMB'S MESSAGE ON GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000523

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PINR GG RS LG
SUBJECT: NO THREATS IN RUSSIAN AMB'S MESSAGE ON GEORGIA

REF: A) VILNIUS 708 B) RIGA 521

Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (
d)


1. (C) Summary: Russian AMB Veshnyakov did not/not say
anything that the Latvians interpreted as a threat in
delivering Moscow's line on Georgia and Moscow's recognition
of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in an August 28 meeting with
Latvian FM Riekstins. Veshnyakov said that the planned visit
of Riekstins to Moscow in October could go forward, although
this was "difficult decision" for Moscow. The Latvians are
aware of the tougher line delivered in Vilnius and believe
that Veshnyakov was simply reading his instructions as
written. End summary.


2. (C) MFA U/S for bilateral affairs Edgars Skuja, who was in
the meeting, gave us the following readout of the
Riekstins/Veshnyakov meeting. Veshnyakov opened by defending
Russian actions in recognizing the independence of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. He said that this decision was taken
on the basis of Russia's "moral and historic rights." He
added that it was based on the principle of
self-determination and said that this is an idea Latvia
should understand well given its own history. Veshnyakov
said that Latvia's position followed "the western line" and
he criticized that position as biased and anti-Russian. It
did not, for example, take in to account the right of
self-defense in article 51 of the UN Charter. Veshnyakov
also asked Riekstins, "do you deny that Saakashvili started
this?" On bilateral relations, Veshnyakov said the "the
situation is difficult" but that Moscow had reached the
"difficult decision" to proceed with the planned visit of FM
Riekstins to Moscow in October and with the autumn meeting of
the inter-governmental commission. Cooperation between the
border guards of the two countries should also proceed.


3. (C) Riekstins responded to each point in turn. He said
that Latvia strongly disagreed with Russian views on
recognition. Russia was operating counter to its
international commitments and responsibilities and its
actions were not helpful to regional stability. Latvia was
well aware of the Russian view, but cannot agree to it.
There is no anti-Russian bias in the Latvian view; it was
simply based on the facts. He urged Russia to fulfill its
obligations under the French six-point plan, especially on
withdrawing troops from Georgian territory and deployment of
international monitors. (On this point, Veshnyakov said that
FM Lavrov had been clear that there are no obstacles to
deployment of international observers.) Riekstins said that
he planned to proceed with his trip to Moscow because there
is always value in discussions between Foreign Ministers.
The intergovernmental commission would need to be delayed,
however, but Riekstins said this was technical. The Latvian
chair is the finance minister and the dates for the budget
debates in cabinet and parliament have changed and conflict
with the planned dates of the commission. The Latvians
pledged to propose new dates soon.


4. (C) Skuja said that he was aware of the tough language
delivered in Vilnius (ref A) but said that "no threats or
attempted blackmail" were made by Veshnyakov. He added that
if previous Russian Ambassador Kaluzhny was still here, he
"could imagine" that he would have delivered a line more akin
to that heard in Vilnius. But, he said, Veshnyakov tends to
stick rigidly to his points as written in Moscow, without
embellishment. Skuja also did not see any threat in
Veshnyakov's August 27 comments to the press that there was
"nothing Latvia can do to punish Russia" for its actions in
Georgia. Skuja added that it was his "personal feeling" that
the Russians are looking for some excuse to cancel the FM's
visit to Moscow and/or the IGC, but that the Latvians have
not provided them such an excuse to date.
LARSON