GERMANY SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION REGARDING ABKHAZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000139 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2019 TAGS: UNSC PREL GG GM SUBJECT: GERMANY SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION REGARDING ABKHAZ PARTICIPATION IN UNSC MEETINGS ON GEORGIA REF: STATE 9400 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRS JOHN KOENIG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Charge raised reftel points with MFA State Secretary Reinhard Silberberg on February 4, urging Germany to oppose a possible Russian call for Abkhaz separatist leaders to participate in a formal UNSC meeting regarding the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). Silverberg agreed that now was not the right time to consider inviting the Abkhaz to the UNSC, even for an Arria-style meeting. At some point, in the context of a technical rollover of UNOMIG, Germany might be prepared to re-examine the question of an Arria-style meeting. Silberberg noted that Moscow had just again rebuffed the EU on giving the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, making Germany even more reluctant to make any positive gestures to Russia now on this issue. ¶2. (C) Political Minister Counselor also made reftel points to MFA Special Envoy for the Caucasus and Central Asia Hans-Dieter Lucas, who confirmed the German position opposing Abkhaz participation. Referring to reports that the Russians were seeking to build a naval base in the Abkhaz Black Sea port of Ochamchire, Lucas agreed this was not the time to make concessions. With the regard to possibly having an Arria-style meeting, Lucas thought this could be used as a bargaining chip in the future, but not now. Koenig