EU MOREL, HABER DISCUSS GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000778

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV RS GG
SUBJECT: EU MOREL, HABER DISCUSS GEORGIA

Classified By: Pol M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C/NF) Summary: In separate meetings in Moscow March 26,
EU special envoy Pierre Morel met with DFM Karasin, while
head of the EU Observer Mission Hans-Joerg Haber met with
General Proshkin of the General Staff to discuss the Geneva
Process, EU Monitoring Mission, and other Georgia-related
issues. While Karasin agreed to discuss the date of the next
Geneva Process meeting following the May 15 release of the
UNSG report on UNSCR 1866, and to hold a first meeting of the
Joint Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism on April
14-15, there was no fundamental shift in Russian positions.
Proshkin charged that a "demilitarization as much as
possible" of the Georgian side of the conflict zone was a
prerequisite for discussion of an EUMM-Russia communication
mechanism. End Summary.

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Geneva Process, EUMM
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2. (C/NF) According to Acting EC Political Counselor Kevin
Tait, in his meeting with Deputy FM Karasin, EU special envoy
for crises in Georgia Pierre Morel pushed without success for
agreement to hold the next Geneva Process meeting before the
end of April. Karasin was only willing to advance the date
from Russia's earlier preference of late June up to late May,
to be finalized after the UN Secretary General issued a
report (due May 15) on the implementation of Security Council
Resolution 1866 and the situation on the ground.


3. (C/NF) The GOR also provided Morel with the names of the
Russian liaison officers who will work together with the EU
Monitoring Mission (EUMM). The sides tentatively agreed to a
first meeting of the Joint Incident Prevention and Response
Mechanism (JIPRM) on April 14-15 to exchange information.
Touting the JIPRM as the "first practical document" of the
Geneva Process, the MFA in its statement about Morel's visit
noted that the Mechanism foresaw regular meetings and the
operation of a "hotline."

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Russia demands demilitarized zone in Georgia
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4. (C/NF) In order to improve EU-Russia communications, head
of the EU Observer Mission in Georgia Hans-Joerg Haber in his
meeting requested that General Proshkin of the General Staff
authorize weekly meetings between the EUMM and Russian force
leaders in the breakaway regions, similar to the EUMM-Georgia
MOD MOU of January 26, 2009. Haber also pushed for Russian
notification to the EUMM of military exercises and
overflights of the border zones.


5. (C/NF) Haber also reiterated demands that the Russians
withdraw from Perevi, and allow Georgia to reoccupy the city
"with minimal force presence."


6. (C/NF) According to Tait, General Proshkin did not agree
to notify the EUMM of Russian military exercises, calling
them "normal activity" and "preparation for any contingency."
Accusing the EU of misrepresenting the size of the Georgian
military presence in the region, Proshkin charged that a
"demilitarization as much as possible" of the Georgian side
of the conflict zone was a prerequisite for discussion of an
EUMM-Russia communication mechanism.


7. (C/NF) Proshkin criticized the Georgia MOD-EUMM MOU from
January for lifting limits on troop sizes during times of
emergency, and for requiring renewal every three months.
(Note: renewal is automatic. End note.)

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Comment
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8. (C/NF) EC mission officers saw no fundamental shift in
Russia's positions, although some slight progress in moving
forward on the JIPRM.
BEYRLE