Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM739
2008-11-05 15:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

SAAKASHVILI IN SWEDEN: "I REGRET NOTHING"

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL ENRG GG EU ZK SW 
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O 051505Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3861
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000739 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ENRG GG EU ZK SW
SUBJECT: SAAKASHVILI IN SWEDEN: "I REGRET NOTHING"

REF: STOCKHOLM 719

SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000739


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ENRG GG EU ZK SW
SUBJECT: SAAKASHVILI IN SWEDEN: "I REGRET NOTHING"

REF: STOCKHOLM 719

SUMMARY
--------------

1. On October 30-31, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili visited
Stockholm for talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (FM Bildt
was in Afghanistan at the time). The visit, planned in 2007,
originally was to sign a bilateral investment protection agreement
to encourage Swedish investments in Georgia. The Russian-Georgia
conflict deviated the visit's agenda, however, and was the focus of
Saakashvili's remarks at the Swedish Foreign Affairs Institute on
October 30. Unwilling to temper his criticism of Russia, he
expressed confidence about his actions in the war, but was receptive
to criticism about his domestic policies. End summary.

Georgia Part of Europe
--------------

2. In his prepared remarks at the Swedish Institute of Foreign
Affairs October 30, Saakashvili emphasized that the Georgian
"foreign policy agenda reflects that Georgia is a part of Europe."
He added that "Georgia needs to integrate more with Europe and
reform to further improve its political and judicial systems."

Russia-Georgia Conflict
--------------
-- Saakashvili said that "the EU and the U.S. has noticed what was
in the making in March," as the "Russian attack was well-planned."
Europe must not accept this like they did during Nazi Germany's
invasion of the Sudeten region..."once you lower the threshold and
cross that line there is no going back."

-- Without the EU's response the conflict could have been worse.
"Once all EU leaders made tough remarks on Russia the conflict
halted, however there was a lack of strong EU leadership."

-- "Our choices during the conflict were fundamentally the right
ones. If you have doubts on the war, we encourage an investigation.
But this is not about Georgia anymore: Russia has issues with
everyone."

Dialogue with Iran
--------------
-- "We need Russia to stop Iran," Saakashvili said, and "Russia is a
heavily armed country with nuclear weapons willing to destroy its
neighbors." Saying that talks with Iran should be "explored," he
added: "I have been there many times myself and there are great
prospects in Iran, especially when you talk to the young people."

European Energy
--------------
-- Saakashvili said that Georgia is a stable country for energy
transportation. "A Russian energy monopoly is a dangerous situation
and Europe is increasing its dependence. The war was a wakeup call
for new transit projects. Central Asian countries have understood
the seriousness and launched new projects. We need a strong
strategy and the EU Commissioner for Energy has come to Georgia to
set out such a strategy."

NATO
--------------
-- Georgia's membership in NATO "is up to Germany, so ask Angela
Merkel...We cannot protect our territory against the Russian army."

Freedom of the Press
--------------
-- "We are supporters of freedom of expression; but remember that
this is a learning process for us as well."


WOOD