ESTONIA TO PROPOSE TEXT FOR JOINT EDITORIAL ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000134 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/NB KATHERINE GARRY AND INS/WMDT SARAH PRESSCOT and TIM KATSAPIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP RU EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA TO PROPOSE TEXT FOR JOINT EDITORIAL ON GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM Classified by: CDA Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) AND (d) REF: (A) STATE 35246 (B) TALLINN 76 (C) MOSCOW 965 ¶1. (SBU) On April 10, Poloffs meet with Aivo Orav, Director of Political Department, and Anneli Poolakese, Terrorism Desk Officer and Global Initiative (GI) POC at the Estonian MFA, to discuss points provided in reftel A. Orav said that the Government of Estonia (GOE) is pleased with Secretary Rice's positive response to the proposal for a SIPDIS joint editorial on the GI. Poolakese indicated that the MFA hopes to have a first draft for U.S. review within ten working days. Per ref A, Poloff noted the U.S. preference for using the phrase "combating nuclear terrorism" verses "combating nuclear proliferation." ¶2. (C) Orav told Poloffs that following the February meeting (reftel B) between the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Paet and the Russian Ambassador, the Estonian Embassy in Moscow had also approached the Russian MFA to request Russian participation in the joint editorial. Orav characterized the Russian MFA's reaction to the proposal as "hesitant." Orav said he thought the Russians might be more willing to participate if they are presented with a draft text of the statement to review. Orav suggested the U.S. and GOE work together on the text with the intent of jointly presenting the Russian MFA with a draft. Poloffs said they looked forward to receiving a copy of the Estonian draft and committed to convey Orav's suggested plan back to Washington. ¶3. (C) Post read Ref C with interest and thanks Embassy Moscow for championing Estonia's proposal on this important issue. We note the seemingly more constructive tone taken by the Russians when approached by the Estonians directly. While this may be merely Estonian wishful thinking, we hope the Estonian draft will also be taken in a similarly positive spirit. DECKER