Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM594
2008-08-28 14:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
TFGG01: Media Reaction - Russia and Georgia
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSM #0594 2411431 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 281431Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3708
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000594
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: TFGG01: Media Reaction - Russia and Georgia
On August 28 West Sweden's major daily, liberal "Goteborgs-Posten,"
editorialized on "After Georgia, What?"
"Russia exists. Russia intends to take up space. What line should
one then take? Referring to international law in defense of Georgia
is meaningless. Threats to impose sanctions are counter- productive.
Europe is in need of Russian oil and gas....
"The best way to avoid armed conflicts is economic and human
contacts. And the importance to build good EU-Russia relations
cannot be over-emphasized. But consistency is also needed in order
not to lead Russia into believing that (European) flexibility is
equal to compliancy.
"But choices are limited. The remainder of Georgia may become NATO
member. But how to help Ukraine, the state that has the most to fear
from the new-old Russia?
"However, the EU can demonstrate firmness vis-`-vis Russia by
adopting a common energy policy that would prevent Russia from using
its energy export as a means to divide and rule."
WOOD
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: TFGG01: Media Reaction - Russia and Georgia
On August 28 West Sweden's major daily, liberal "Goteborgs-Posten,"
editorialized on "After Georgia, What?"
"Russia exists. Russia intends to take up space. What line should
one then take? Referring to international law in defense of Georgia
is meaningless. Threats to impose sanctions are counter- productive.
Europe is in need of Russian oil and gas....
"The best way to avoid armed conflicts is economic and human
contacts. And the importance to build good EU-Russia relations
cannot be over-emphasized. But consistency is also needed in order
not to lead Russia into believing that (European) flexibility is
equal to compliancy.
"But choices are limited. The remainder of Georgia may become NATO
member. But how to help Ukraine, the state that has the most to fear
from the new-old Russia?
"However, the EU can demonstrate firmness vis-`-vis Russia by
adopting a common energy policy that would prevent Russia from using
its energy export as a means to divide and rule."
WOOD