SWEDEN ON FEBRUARY 18-19 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000121 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV SW EU SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON FEBRUARY 18-19 GAERC REF: SECSTATE 15648 Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On February 15, Poloff reviewed with MFA Deputy European Correspondent Anna Norell and Desk Officer for EU Affairs Annika Palo reftel points on the February 18-19 GAERC. Norell noted that Kosovo discussions will dominate the GAERC; most discussion on Gaza will be postponed until March; the EU will implement a Joint Action Plan on Burma sanctions; and Swedish peacekeepers have begun to arrive in Chad. End summary. Kosovo and Serbia -------------- ¶2. (C) Norell noted that Serbia has not responded to the EU's January offer. Sweden supports the EU signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia as soon as issues are resolved concerning the International Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Middle East -------------- ¶3. (C) Norell and Palo anticipate the situation in Gaza will be discussed in greater detail at the March GAERC. Regarding Lebanon, Sweden supports a consensus presidential candidate and offered recenlty to donate one million SEK to the UN Special Tribunal. Burma -------------- ¶4. (C) Norell said the EU will meet on February 25 to adopt a Joint Action Plan to implement sanctions in Burma's timber, gems and mining sectors. The EU has not ruled out other sanctions, but will first evaluate the results of these before adding additional sanctions. Chad -------------- ¶5. (C) On February 12, Sweden deployed a few peacekeepers and will send a group of 100 on February 23. Kenya -------------- ¶6. (C) The European Commissioner for Development was in Kenya last week, said Norell, and is expected to give an update to the GAERC. She said Kofi Annan asked Swedish national Hans Corel to assist in mediation efforts. (Note: Corel served as the UN Head of Legal Affairs while Annan was UN Secretary, and is a frequent critic of U.S. efforts in the War on Terror.) WOOD