LATVIA SUPPORTS OSCE ADDRESSING GEORGIA INVASION

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000779 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2018 TAGS: OSCE PREL PHUM KDEM GG RU LG SUBJECT: LATVIA SUPPORTS OSCE ADDRESSING GEORGIA INVASION AT HELSINKI REF: STATE 125626 Classified By: Ambassador Charles Larson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) (C) Pol/Econ Off delivered reftel demarche to Kristaps Brusbardis, MFA's EU Correspondent, on December 3. Brusbardis said that since most of the MFA's Security Policy Department staff were in Brussels, he could give just general MFA points on the OSCE Ministerial in Helsinki. He stated that Latvia generally agrees with USG positions, especially on Georgia. Brusbardis said that the GOL would like to see something in the final declaration addressing the Russian invasion of Georgia, but that there are several options on wording. He noted that the Georgians had circulated a proposed text, but his understanding was that it is unacceptable to the French and Germans. On the Russian Security Treaty proposal, he said that Latvia does not see the value-added of the proposal, and they agree that existing security arrangements, if adhered to, are sufficient. FM Riekstins and MFA Political Director Peteris Ustubs will attend for the GOL, according to him. LARSON