Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VILNIUS903
2008-10-23 11:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:
LITHUANIA, THE EU, AND RUSSIA: POSSIBLE VETO ON
how-toVZCZCXRO2285 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHVL #0903 2971154 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231154Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2991 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0081
C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000903
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU GG LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA, THE EU, AND RUSSIA: POSSIBLE VETO ON
BUSINESS-AS-USUAL
Classified By: Charge Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000903
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU GG LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA, THE EU, AND RUSSIA: POSSIBLE VETO ON
BUSINESS-AS-USUAL
Classified By: Charge Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Lithuanian MFA U/S Zygimantas Pavilionis told Charge
October 23 that he is very concerned that the EU is going to
cave on normalizing relations with Russia in the coming
weeks. Given pressure from France and Germany (along with
southern tier countries),the November 10 GAERC will likely
decide that Russia's partial compliance with agreements
concerning Georgia is enough to "forgive Russia" and resume
post-PCA negotiations; this despite the high-level EU
decision September 1 that Russian forces must return to
pre-August 7 positions. The GOL believes that an EU decision
to normalize relations with Russia will both split the EU and
split the EU from the United States. If internal EU
negotiations play out as he fears, Pavilionis said Lithuania
will exercise its veto, fully aware this will bring down the
wrath of the western Europeans on Lithuania.
2. (C) Pavilionis said he thinks the UK is the key to
preventing this showdown, and he asked the Charge for USG
help in keeping the UK from joining the emerging EU consensus
on Russia-Georgia. He provided a non-paper (faxed to EUR/NB)
with arguments the USG might be able to use with the UK. He
further expressed his desire to go to Washington himself,
pre-GAERC, to discuss this proposed cooperation with EUR A/S
Fried. Pavilionis is hoping for senior level USG
intervention with UK ForSec Miliband and PolDir Lyall Grant.
He said he already discussed the issue with Lyall Grant
October 22, and will do so again in London October 29.
3. (C) Pavilionis said he thought a much better outcome would
be possible under the Czech presidency next year, when Russia
might be more willing to comply with its promises. To give
up the post-PCA card now, he said, is to yield an important
lever in influencing Russian behavior in Georgia.
LEADER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU GG LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA, THE EU, AND RUSSIA: POSSIBLE VETO ON
BUSINESS-AS-USUAL
Classified By: Charge Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Lithuanian MFA U/S Zygimantas Pavilionis told Charge
October 23 that he is very concerned that the EU is going to
cave on normalizing relations with Russia in the coming
weeks. Given pressure from France and Germany (along with
southern tier countries),the November 10 GAERC will likely
decide that Russia's partial compliance with agreements
concerning Georgia is enough to "forgive Russia" and resume
post-PCA negotiations; this despite the high-level EU
decision September 1 that Russian forces must return to
pre-August 7 positions. The GOL believes that an EU decision
to normalize relations with Russia will both split the EU and
split the EU from the United States. If internal EU
negotiations play out as he fears, Pavilionis said Lithuania
will exercise its veto, fully aware this will bring down the
wrath of the western Europeans on Lithuania.
2. (C) Pavilionis said he thinks the UK is the key to
preventing this showdown, and he asked the Charge for USG
help in keeping the UK from joining the emerging EU consensus
on Russia-Georgia. He provided a non-paper (faxed to EUR/NB)
with arguments the USG might be able to use with the UK. He
further expressed his desire to go to Washington himself,
pre-GAERC, to discuss this proposed cooperation with EUR A/S
Fried. Pavilionis is hoping for senior level USG
intervention with UK ForSec Miliband and PolDir Lyall Grant.
He said he already discussed the issue with Lyall Grant
October 22, and will do so again in London October 29.
3. (C) Pavilionis said he thought a much better outcome would
be possible under the Czech presidency next year, when Russia
might be more willing to comply with its promises. To give
up the post-PCA card now, he said, is to yield an important
lever in influencing Russian behavior in Georgia.
LEADER