Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CHISINAU742
2009-09-29 15:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LEANCA SUPPORTS

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM KTIP EAID PINR MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHCH #0742/01 2721501
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 291501Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8414
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000742 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KTIP EAID PINR MD
SUBJECT: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LEANCA SUPPORTS
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S.

Classified by: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000742

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KTIP EAID PINR MD
SUBJECT: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LEANCA SUPPORTS
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S.

Classified by: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador's September 25 meeting
with Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca was the very
first the minister had held in his new capacity.
Commenting on the historic appropriateness of
holding his very first official meeting with the
American Ambassador, Leanca affirmed his
government's desire to maintain a special
relationship with the United States. He assured
an open-minded approach, and a desire to consult
with the USG on policy decisions. Leanca supports
an enhanced role for the U.S. in Transnistria
negotiations and promised progress on TIP. Leanca
will be ready to meet DAS Russell when he visits
October 5. End Summary.

Moldova Will Have Special Relationship with U.S.
-------------- ---


2. (C) In a September 25 meeting, newly-confirmed
Minister for Foreign Affairs Iurie Leanca told the
Ambassador it was historically appropriate that
his very first meeting since being confirmed as
minister earlier in that day, was with the United
States Ambassador. Leanca pointed to Prime
Minister Filat's program which had been presented
to the Parliament that morning, in which a
"special relationship to the U.S." had been
included.


3. (C) The Ambassador assured Leanca that in turn,
the USG would focus on Moldova as a friend. The
USG would work with Moldova, he said, on building
freedoms and democracy. The USG would emphasize
economic reform and Transnistria settlement, as
well as social issues such as trafficking.


4. (C) In response, Leanca assured the Ambassador
that the new government shared the same approaches
and opinions as the USG. "You will find the new
government to be open-minded" he assured. Leanca
also promised that he and other interlocutors
would consult with the Ambassador when forming
policy.

Leanca Wants Enhanced USG Role on Transnistria
-------------- -


5. (C) On Transnistria, Leanca said he shared the

Ambassador's view that the 5-plus-2 process was
the best way to move forward. He noted that the
Prime Minister's program had mentioned "doing
whatever possible to increase the role of the EU
and the U.S. in the negotiating process." Leanca
said they had intended to seek participation of
the U.S. and EU as full-fledged negotiating
partners, rather than just observers. He wondered
what it would take to make this change, and at
what cost it would come, and whether the Russians
would accept the proposal.


6. (C) Leanca commented that it would be necessary
to further discuss the responsibilities of the
newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister who would
handle Transnistria settlement talks, Victor
Osipov. Leanca noted that at this point Osipov
lacked experience on Transnistria.


7. (C) The Ambassador informed Leanca that DAS Dan
Russell would be visiting Chisinau for meetings on
October 5 en route to the 3-plus-2 in Vienna.
Leanca made note, and would be prepared to meet on
that date. The two agreed that the best result
from the Vienna meeting would be if an agreement
would be reached on holding a 5-plus-2, and if so,
on what to discuss. They mentioned the
possibility of skipping discussion of the previous
GoM package, and instead starting with a listing
of issues that would need to be addressed.


8. (C) Leanca promised that once the dust settled
and the new government was fully in place, they
would gather experts from the ministries and
Parliament to discuss the principles for
Transnistria settlement. He likewise promised to
discuss these ideas with the Ambassador. After
that, the new GoM would be ready to approach the
negotiating process and relations with Tiraspol.

CHISINAU 00000742 002 OF 002



New GoM Open to Taking More Action on TIP
--------------


9. (C) The Ambassador explained to FM Leanca the
USG requirement to cut off aid if Moldova were
ranked on Tier 3 and the fact that if Moldova were
ranked Tier 2 Watchlist again, it would
automatically be dropped to Tier 3. Leanca said
he understood, and promised the new government in
Moldova would work actively in fighting TIP, both
to eliminate the problem from the country, and to
avoid a bad tier ranking.

Comment
--------------


10. (C) Though the Embassy enjoyed good working
relations with the individuals in the previous
government, meeting with the new Foreign Minister
was like a breath of fresh air. Leanca's openness
and spirit of cooperation was a harbinger of a new
era, in which the GoM will be more open and more
cooperative. Their desire to enjoy a strategic
partnership with the U.S. and their sincere
interest in European integration should help
facilitate action on issues we raise in the
future. From TIP to media reform, we can expect
much smoother sailing with the new pro-Western
government. This may also be a unique and
historic opportunity for the U.S. to engage
aggressively and constructively to help put this
country on a firm path of democratic and economic
reform.

CHAUDHRY