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. -------------- Geneva Process, EUMM -------------- ¶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." -------------- Russia demands demilitarized zone in Georgia -------------- ¶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.) -------------- Comment -------------- ¶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