ESTONIA: NO DIRECT THREAT FROM RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000301 SIPDIS FOR EUR/NB MIGUEL RODRIGUES E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2018 TAGS: PREL RU GG EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA: NO DIRECT THREAT FROM RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR REF: (A) VILNIUS 708 (B) RIGA 523 (C) TALLINN 297 Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Harry Lahtein, MFA Division Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Toomas Tirs, the Georgia Desk Officer, told Pol/Econ Chief August 29 that Russian Ambassador Nikolai Uspenski did not directly threaten Estonia during his meeting with Foreign Minister Paet on August 27th (ref C). (Note: Both Lahtein and Tirs participated in the meeting.) Tirs said the Estonian MFA had been briefed on the discussions that had taken place in Riga and Vilnius, but noted the meeting in Tallinn was "different" from the one between the Russian Ambassador and the Lithuanian FM. However, Tirs added, there was a definite implication that the GOR believes that NATO countries are starting to re-arm Georgia. Although it was not stated outright, Lahtein added, it was clear Ambassador Uspenski was referring to U.S. ships and flights in the area.) ¶2. (C) Uspenski came to the meeting with a four-page "statement" in Russian which he handed to Paet. He then briefed Paet on the GOR's reasons for recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Uspenski said there was "no other way" to protect South Ossetians and the Abkhaz from Georgia and that the GOG had clearly been preparing to take aggressive action against Abkhazia, just as it had against South Ossetia. Russia needed to act to avoid future aggression, allow rebuilding to begin and prevent genocide, Uspenski said. Lahtein noted that Uspenski (who was visibly nervous throughout the meeting and had "weird" body language) did not cover all of the points from the printed statement. Of note, Uspenski did not reiterate the statement's assertion that Russia "wishes to keep friendly relations with Georgia" and hopes "the Georgian people will themselves choose a more appropriate leader." ¶3. (C) Paet pressed, several times, for Russia to allow third party monitors on the ground in Georgia with access to all areas. He also questioned the need for the checkpoints Russia has established on main highways. If Russia "feels threatened" by the Georgians, Paet told Uspenski, then it should invite in third party observers. Uspenski noted that "journalists" have access and muttered that the GOR has "not thought about" monitors. Uspenski also argued that Russia is justified in setting up a buffer zone because Georgia is not fulfilling the 6-point plan. Georgian soldiers have not gone back to their barracks, he said. Russia's understanding of the 5th point in the plan is that it has the right to take "whatever measures" necessary to avoid conflict. That is why Russia needs to have control points on the main highways. ¶4. (C) At the end of the meeting, Lahtein asked Pol/Econ Chief if there are any plans for U.S. ships to land in Poti and to send a convoy from Poti to Gori. We think this would be very helpful, Lahtein noted, it will "underline the U.S. commitment." Right now, Russia thinks the United States blinked, Lahtein said. Phillips