Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BELGRADE386
2009-05-04 17:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA PULLS OUT OF NATO EXERCISE IN GEORGIA
how-toVZCZCXRO5757 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBW #0386 1241759 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041759Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1249 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNS/NSC WASHDC RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0074
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000386
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV RU GG SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA PULLS OUT OF NATO EXERCISE IN GEORGIA
REF: A) USNATO 156 B) BELGRADE 246 C) 08 BELGRADE 1333
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000386
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV RU GG SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA PULLS OUT OF NATO EXERCISE IN GEORGIA
REF: A) USNATO 156 B) BELGRADE 246 C) 08 BELGRADE 1333
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Serbia's government decided on April 30 not to participate
in an upcoming NATO/PFP exercise in Georgia. The decision was a
direct result of pressure from Russia on Serbia, and was taken
despite Serbia's previous intention to participate in the exercise.
Serbia's last minute pull-out from the exercise is further evidence
of Russia's continued ability to influence Serbia as a result of
growing economic ties between the two and Russia's support for
Serbia on Kosovo. We should expect to see Russia use its leverage
again on Serbia in the future. End Summary.
Government Back Tracks on Exercise
--------------
2. (SBU) Despite longstanding commitments to participate, at its
weekly session on April 30 Serbia's government decided not to send
two officers to the NATO PFP exercise Cooperative Longbow 2009,
scheduled to take place in Georgia beginning May 6. Serbia's
participation was included in Serbia's 2009-2010 Individual
Partnership Program with NATO.
Russia Exerts Pressure
--------------
3. (SBU) The government decision was in response to Russian
Ambassador Konuzin's request to Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic
that Serbia not participate in the exercise due to ongoing tensions
between Russia and Georgia. "Neither our troops, nor our staff, nor
anyone else from Serbia will be taking part in the NATO exercise in
Georgia. The reason for that is because the Russian Federation has
outlined its position that this exercise constitutes a security
threat to her," Jeremic said to local media B92 on April 28.
Jeremic added that Serbia would not participate in any project that
constituted a security threat to Russia.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) This incident demonstrates that despite the Serbian
government's focus on European integration, Russia's clout in
Belgrade remains strong. Gazprom's December 2008 purchase of
Serbia's national oil company NIS has given Russia even more levers
of influence. This is further compounded by the perceived
necessity by some within the Serbian government, particularly
Jeremic, to keep Russia on its side regarding Kosovo's independence.
We can expect Russia to flex its influence upon Serbia again when
it is in Russia's geostrategic interest. End Comment.
MUNTER
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV RU GG SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA PULLS OUT OF NATO EXERCISE IN GEORGIA
REF: A) USNATO 156 B) BELGRADE 246 C) 08 BELGRADE 1333
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Serbia's government decided on April 30 not to participate
in an upcoming NATO/PFP exercise in Georgia. The decision was a
direct result of pressure from Russia on Serbia, and was taken
despite Serbia's previous intention to participate in the exercise.
Serbia's last minute pull-out from the exercise is further evidence
of Russia's continued ability to influence Serbia as a result of
growing economic ties between the two and Russia's support for
Serbia on Kosovo. We should expect to see Russia use its leverage
again on Serbia in the future. End Summary.
Government Back Tracks on Exercise
--------------
2. (SBU) Despite longstanding commitments to participate, at its
weekly session on April 30 Serbia's government decided not to send
two officers to the NATO PFP exercise Cooperative Longbow 2009,
scheduled to take place in Georgia beginning May 6. Serbia's
participation was included in Serbia's 2009-2010 Individual
Partnership Program with NATO.
Russia Exerts Pressure
--------------
3. (SBU) The government decision was in response to Russian
Ambassador Konuzin's request to Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic
that Serbia not participate in the exercise due to ongoing tensions
between Russia and Georgia. "Neither our troops, nor our staff, nor
anyone else from Serbia will be taking part in the NATO exercise in
Georgia. The reason for that is because the Russian Federation has
outlined its position that this exercise constitutes a security
threat to her," Jeremic said to local media B92 on April 28.
Jeremic added that Serbia would not participate in any project that
constituted a security threat to Russia.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) This incident demonstrates that despite the Serbian
government's focus on European integration, Russia's clout in
Belgrade remains strong. Gazprom's December 2008 purchase of
Serbia's national oil company NIS has given Russia even more levers
of influence. This is further compounded by the perceived
necessity by some within the Serbian government, particularly
Jeremic, to keep Russia on its side regarding Kosovo's independence.
We can expect Russia to flex its influence upon Serbia again when
it is in Russia's geostrategic interest. End Comment.
MUNTER