Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM591
2008-08-26 12:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

GEORGIA DOMINATED MERKEL'S VISIT TO SWEDEN

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL ECON GG SW 
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VZCZCXRO8823
OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSM #0591 2391236
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 261236Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3705
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000591 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ECON GG SW
SUBJECT: GEORGIA DOMINATED MERKEL'S VISIT TO SWEDEN

Classified By: CDA SILVERMAN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B & D)

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000591

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ECON GG SW
SUBJECT: GEORGIA DOMINATED MERKEL'S VISIT TO SWEDEN

Classified By: CDA SILVERMAN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B & D)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Russia's action in Georgia dominated the discussions
when Merkel visited PM Reinfeldt in Stockholm, August 25.
Germany and Sweden agree that Russia must withdraw its troops
from Georgia and that the Russian President must not sign the
referendum recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Both
support a "friends" gathering on Georgia to show support, but
not a donor conference per se. End Summary.

Georgia and Russia
--------------


2. (U) Georgia dominated the discussions between PM Reinfeldt
and Chancellor Merkel on August 25, according to contacts in
the Prime Minister's office, MFA, and German embassy. At a
joint press conference, Reinfeldt emphasized the importance
of a full Russian withdrawal, stating "anything else would be
unacceptable." He underlined that Georgia now needs support
for its rebuilding and it is important to discuss how this
should be organized. "It is significant to discuss the future
of Russia and the authoritarian tendencies we are now
seeing," he said. Chancellor Merkel stated that the decision
in the Russian Duma to recognize the independence of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia was against international law. "I expect
the Russian President not to sign the resolution," she said.
Both, however, stressed the importance of maintaining
contacts with Russia. Merkel stated that it is no s ecret
that Germany and Russia have common economical interests and
added, "...but we cannot disregard our values."


3. (C) Contacts in the PM's office affirmed that the press
conference reflected well private discussions between
Reinfeldt and Merkel. They relayed also that the Swedish
government remains in the planning stages for the Monday,
September 1, European Council meeting and remains engaged
with the French to "Work issues out", i.e., whether
Saakashvilli will attend. Whether or not he does, our
contacts describe the summit as important because of the
symbolism of the EU gathering to discuss the way forward with
Russia. As for an international conference on Georgia, the
German DCM told us that rather than a donors' conference,
something more along the lines of a "friends" gathering to
"show support" is what Merkel has in mind.

NATO
--------------


4. (U) Merkel sidestepped questions from the press regarding
Germany's prior approach to a Ukrainian and Georgian NATO
membership by saying that what was decided in Bucharest still
stands. "What is discussed is not an immediate membership but
a road towards membership. Ultimately that is a decision for
the applicant states and NATO," Merkel stated. Asked whether
Sweden would follow a possible Finnish NATO membership as a
result of Russia's actions in Georgia, Reinfeldt made it
clear that the issue is not on the agenda but that the
countries tended to follow each other on these issues. "Most
of our international soldiers, men and women, are under NATO
command, we are part of these structures in a good way, it is
not like during the Cold War anymore," he said.


5. (U) Comment on atmospherics: Most of the Merkel-Reinfeldt
meetings were one-on-one at the Swedish version of Camp David
(Harpsund, at a lake north of Stockholm). By all reports, the
relationship between Reinfeldt and Merkel is excellent. Bildt
did not attend the meetings but remained in Stockholm for the
annual gathering of all Sweden,s overseas ambassadors.
WOOD