Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN1332
2009-10-23 16:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMAN VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

Tags:  PREL EUN EAID PHUM ETRD AFDB PK GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHRL #1332/01 2961602
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 231602Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5566
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0868
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001332 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019
TAGS: PREL EUN EAID PHUM ETRD AFDB PK GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

REF: 17OCT2009 EUR/ERA EMAIL

Classified By: Political M/C George Glass for reasons 1.4 (b/d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001332

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019
TAGS: PREL EUN EAID PHUM ETRD AFDB PK GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

REF: 17OCT2009 EUR/ERA EMAIL

Classified By: Political M/C George Glass for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary. Germany is in broad agreement with U.S.
points on Afghanistan/Pakistan, but officials expect no
discussion on the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Pakistan during
the October GAERC. Afghanistan discussions will center
around adopting the Council's Action Plan, which, Germany
believes, could enter an implementation phase no later than
March. Bosnia will dominate Balkans discussions as officials
try to digest the results of this week's negotiations with
Bosnian leaders in Butmir. Given the current state of play,
Germany expects the GAERC to reach no decision on closing the
OHR. On Middle East issues, the GAERC will, at best, hold
internal talks on how to support U.S.-led efforts in the
future. The EU3 will also likely give an update on the
Geneva talks with Iran. End summary.

Balkans
--------------


2. (C) Poloff discussed ref email points with MFA Deputy
European Correspondent Angela Ganniger on October 22.
Ganniger said the Bosnia crisis will dominate discussions on
the Western Balkans but that officials will likely reach no
decision on the issue of closing the OHR. Instead, the goal
will be to brief FMs on the second round of negotiations with
Bosnian leaders in Butmir on October 20-21. The GAERC might
discuss potential scenarios for the way forward, but no
substantial decisions will be possible since officials must
first assess the results of the Butmir talks. These results
will, in turn, likely shape views regarding the push for OHR
closure during the November Peace Implementation Council
meeting.


3. (C) On the issue of visa liberalization for Western Balkan
countries, Ganniger said Germany is open-minded as long as
countries meet the criteria -- including confidence in the
passport-issuing process. However, Germany will not support
visa liberalization as a reward or as a tool to spur
additional reforms. She noted that some countries want to
use the issue to send a political signal in support of Balkan
integration with Europe but that Germany sees this as
strictly a security question and will oppose liberalization
if countries do not meet the requirements.

Afghanistan/Pakistan
--------------


4. (C) Ganniger said the October GAERC will approve an
Afghanistan/Pakistan action plan with goals and priorities
aimed at spurring increased Afghan ownership in the conflict.
The focus will not be on humanitarian issues but rather
long-term stability and capacity-building efforts to ensure
Afghan self-government. She emphasized that specific weight
will be given to rule-of-law, border issues, and
international cooperation. If all goes well, Germany expects
to see an implementation program developed by March.


5. (C) On EUPOL staffing, Ganniger believed the GAERC might
make a general call for contributions from members; however,
she does not expect countries to come forward with any
committments during the meeting. For now, the discussion on
reaching the 400-man target is being conducted at the working
level -- including discussions on a recruitment strategy.


6. (C) According to Ganniger, the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for
Pakistan will not come up during the GAERC. For its part,
Germany has not reached internal agreement on whether to
contribute. In general, Ganniger said, the MFA has a
positive view of this initiative, however, there has been no
decision yet and the final call will fall to Germany's aid
agency, BMZ.


Middle East Peace
--------------


7. (C) The GAERC goal is to do nothing to undermine USG
efforts in the Middle East. Ganniger said the EU is waiting
to get cues from the U.S. and will hold only internal
discussions on how to support our efforts. Ganniger said
there is no GAERC effort to develop alternatives to U.S.-led
engagement and she expects no specific statements in the
Council conclusions.

General
--------------


8. (C) Overall, Ganniger said the October GAERC will focus on
climate change, the economic/financial crisis, and internal

BERLIN 00001332 002 OF 002


issues -- in advance of the quarterly European Council
meeting that same week. The GAERC will also discuss Moldova,
where Poland and Romania have worries about the financial
crisis. The focus will be on ways that the EC can develop a
macro-economic assistance plan that dovetails with IMF
efforts. However, Ganniger said, it is unlikely that any
decision will be reached.
Delawie