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