Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LJUBLJANA65
2009-03-12 12:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA INTERESTED IN U.S. VIEWS ON SYRIA AND
how-toVZCZCXRO7476 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0065 0711210 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 121210Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7211 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0038 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0128 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0270 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000065
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV MD MW BK MK SU SY BO SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA INTERESTED IN U.S. VIEWS ON SYRIA AND
IRAN FOR MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH
REF: J. GIAUQUE 3/6 E-MAIL
Classified By: ADCM G. Shelton, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000065
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV MD MW BK MK SU SY BO SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA INTERESTED IN U.S. VIEWS ON SYRIA AND
IRAN FOR MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH
REF: J. GIAUQUE 3/6 E-MAIL
Classified By: ADCM G. Shelton, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) ADCM reviewed our points for the March GAERC and
Gymnich meetings (ref) with MFA European Corespondent Darja
Gruban on March 12. Gruban requested updates on the U.S.
position on Syria and Iran, which the EU FMs would discuss at
the March 27-28 Gymnich. She expected GAERC conclusions on
Bosnia, Belarus and Afghanistan (without discussion),
although she said the PSC would meet on March 16 to continue
negotiating the conclusions. She said Slovenia agreed with
the U.S. points on Sudan and on Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Transnistria was not on the agenda in March. End Summary.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
--------------
2. (C) Gruban expected the decision about closing OHR to
occur at the June PIC. She stressed that the transition to
the EUSR needed to be well-prepared, not only within the EU,
but also with the international community and Bosnia. She
expressed concern about the undermining of the Dayton
principles, which was unacceptable. She noted that the
discussion about the EUSR's mandate was continuing. The
Slovene view was that the mandate needed to be strong and
flexible so the EUSR could exert influence on the
implementation of the commitments given to the EU.
Montenegro
--------------
3. (C) Gruban emphasized that Slovenia would like the FMs to
decide in March to ask the Commission to prepare the avis,
although she acknowledged that some member states objected
that Montenegro was not ready while others were against
enlargement. Slovenia viewed this step as technical, not
political, and would like it to happen as soon as possible.
Belarus
--------------
4. (C) Gruban said that there was an ongoing discussion about
whether to prolong the extension of the suspension of the
visa ban. Slovenia supported extending the suspension. She
noted that while Belarus would participate in the Eastern
Partnership, the EU should not invite Lukashenka to attend
the May 7 Special Summit, but should instead invite the
Foreign Minister.
Middle East
--------------
5. (C) Gruban stated that the Foreign Ministers would discuss
the Middle East at the GAERC lunch, but most likely in the
framework of transatlantic relations because the Czech
Presidency planned to brief about the April 5 U.S.-EU Summit
in Prague. FMs would not discuss Iran at the GAERC, but they
planned to discuss the Middle East, including Iran and Syria,
at the Gymnich. She requested more information on our policy
toward both Syria and Iran before that meeting.
Other Issues
--------------
6. (C) Gruban noted that the March 19-20 European Council
Conclusions under the Foreign Affairs heading would be on the
Eastern Partnership, with a small reference to the Union for
the Mediterranean. She said that the Political Directors
would meet on the margins of the GAERC and discuss Sudan as
well as the effects of the economic crisis on the EU's
eastern neighborhood, with a stress and focus on Ukraine and
Moldova.
FREDEN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV MD MW BK MK SU SY BO SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA INTERESTED IN U.S. VIEWS ON SYRIA AND
IRAN FOR MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH
REF: J. GIAUQUE 3/6 E-MAIL
Classified By: ADCM G. Shelton, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) ADCM reviewed our points for the March GAERC and
Gymnich meetings (ref) with MFA European Corespondent Darja
Gruban on March 12. Gruban requested updates on the U.S.
position on Syria and Iran, which the EU FMs would discuss at
the March 27-28 Gymnich. She expected GAERC conclusions on
Bosnia, Belarus and Afghanistan (without discussion),
although she said the PSC would meet on March 16 to continue
negotiating the conclusions. She said Slovenia agreed with
the U.S. points on Sudan and on Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Transnistria was not on the agenda in March. End Summary.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
--------------
2. (C) Gruban expected the decision about closing OHR to
occur at the June PIC. She stressed that the transition to
the EUSR needed to be well-prepared, not only within the EU,
but also with the international community and Bosnia. She
expressed concern about the undermining of the Dayton
principles, which was unacceptable. She noted that the
discussion about the EUSR's mandate was continuing. The
Slovene view was that the mandate needed to be strong and
flexible so the EUSR could exert influence on the
implementation of the commitments given to the EU.
Montenegro
--------------
3. (C) Gruban emphasized that Slovenia would like the FMs to
decide in March to ask the Commission to prepare the avis,
although she acknowledged that some member states objected
that Montenegro was not ready while others were against
enlargement. Slovenia viewed this step as technical, not
political, and would like it to happen as soon as possible.
Belarus
--------------
4. (C) Gruban said that there was an ongoing discussion about
whether to prolong the extension of the suspension of the
visa ban. Slovenia supported extending the suspension. She
noted that while Belarus would participate in the Eastern
Partnership, the EU should not invite Lukashenka to attend
the May 7 Special Summit, but should instead invite the
Foreign Minister.
Middle East
--------------
5. (C) Gruban stated that the Foreign Ministers would discuss
the Middle East at the GAERC lunch, but most likely in the
framework of transatlantic relations because the Czech
Presidency planned to brief about the April 5 U.S.-EU Summit
in Prague. FMs would not discuss Iran at the GAERC, but they
planned to discuss the Middle East, including Iran and Syria,
at the Gymnich. She requested more information on our policy
toward both Syria and Iran before that meeting.
Other Issues
--------------
6. (C) Gruban noted that the March 19-20 European Council
Conclusions under the Foreign Affairs heading would be on the
Eastern Partnership, with a small reference to the Union for
the Mediterranean. She said that the Political Directors
would meet on the margins of the GAERC and discuss Sudan as
well as the effects of the economic crisis on the EU's
eastern neighborhood, with a stress and focus on Ukraine and
Moldova.
FREDEN