POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 15-16 GAERC AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 001055 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/CE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV EUN ZL ZI SO YI TU GG RS PL SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 15-16 GAERC AND SEPTEMBER 5-6 GYMNICH REF: A. STATE 96598 ¶B. LONDON 2284 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA EU Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski told us the GoP has avoided responding "emotionally" on Georgia, notwithstanding the severity of the crisis. The GoP will not press for strong EU measures against Russia, preferring to give Russia time to reflect on developments. Although internal discussions on Poland's contribution to an ESDP mission in Georgia are still underway, Poland knows it will be expected to step up, and will not disappoint. Poland will press the EU to insist the ESDP mission be given access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Kozacewski provided a brief readout of the September 5-6 Gymnich, noting that other EU member states are warming to the idea of engaging eastern neighbors and seem more concerned about energy security than before. Poland shares U.S. views on Serbia and will likely join mainstream consensus on Zimbabwe and Somalia. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Poloff called on EU Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski to provide U.S. input for the upcoming GAERC based on Ref A points, and to review the results of the Gymnich. GYMNICH READOUT ¶3. (C) As expected, discussion of Georgia dominated the September 5-6 Gymnich meeting. However, Foreign Ministers were "very cautious" in their discussion, preferring to wait for the outcome of French President Sarkozy's September 8 meeting with Medvedev. On the margins of the meeting, the Polish delegation lobbied EU member states on the Polish/Swedish Eastern Partnership Proposal. Member states are reportedly warming to the proposal, particularly its focus on more engagement with Belarus and drawing Ukraine closer to the EU. According to Kozaczewski, energy security was also a prominent topic of discussion. ¶4. (C) Echoing Embassy London's reporting (ref B) on Ministers' discussion of the transatlantic relationship, Kozaczewski said the USG should expect to receive from the EU a series of "more active proposals" on how to deepen transatlantic cooperation. FM Sikorski's preference is to identify a few core issues and engage in strategic discussions on how to resolve common challenges. Kozaczewski reported that the Gymnich discussion on the Middle East was "not substantial." GEORGIA/RUSSIA ¶5. (C) On Georgia, Kozaczewski said it is essential that the EU's ESDP mission cooperate closely with OSCE and UN observers. The GoP agrees the mission needs to deploy as quickly as possible in conjunction with the withdrawal of Russian military forces. Poland will press the EU to insist that the ESDP mission be given access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The EU mission will reportedly include 100-200 observers. Internal discussions on the Polish contributions are still underway, but the GoP knows other EU member states will expect Poland to step up and offered assurances that Poland "will not disappoint." ¶6. (C) Kozacewski said the GoP is taking extra care to avoid being perceived as "emotional" on the issue and, as a result, will not press for strong EU measures against Russia. The situation is very delicate and the GoP believes it is important to allow Russia a "moment of reflection." That said, it will take a long time to repair the damage. SERBIA ¶7. (C) According to Kozaczewski, the GoP agrees the Serbian WARSAW 00001055 002 OF 002 government should reconsider its unhelpful attitude and decide whether its wants to accept EU offers of assistance or to continue to play a destructive role. He agreed that Serbia's request for an ICJ opinion is counterproductive, adding that it could prove "dangerous" for the EU. The arrest and extradition of Karadzic is a step in the right direction, but Serbia needs to prove it is serious by putting additional effort into delivering war criminals. TURKEY ¶8. (SBU) Kozaczewski said the GoP would continue to support Turkey's candidacy for accession, primarily because of the importance of drawing Turkey (and other countries, like Ukraine) closer to Western institutions. ZIMBABWE ¶9. (SBU) Kozaczewski said Poland will likely join the mainstream EU consensus on Zimbabwe. SOMALIA ¶10. (C) On Somalia, Kozaczewski said the GoP has limited capabilities given its commitments elsewhere. While the GoP recognizes the severity of the problem, it needs its naval assets close at hand in order to protect national security interests. ASHE