READOUT FROM THE ICELANDIC PARTICIPANT AT E-PINE MEETING

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000213 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL IC SUBJECT: READOUT FROM THE ICELANDIC PARTICIPANT AT E-PINE MEETING ¶1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires met with Greta Gunnarsdottir, Director General for International and Security Affairs at the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on November 30 to discuss her participation in the November 5 Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (E-PINE) meeting in Washington. Gunnarsdottir called the E-PINE meeting an enormous success and said that her Nordic colleagues, in private follow-up conversations, had expressed similar satisfaction. Gunnarsdottir felt that the E-PINE meeting clearly laid out the tremendous role that Europe must play in resolving the world's most pressing problems, notably Iran and Afghanistan. She added that she felt the U.S. sent a strong message in the meeting that it intends to cooperate with Europe on these complicated matters. ¶2. (SBU) The discussions regarding Iran clearly resonated with Gunnarsdottir. Were Iran to develop nuclear capabilities, she said, it could destabilize the entire region and potentially lead neighboring countries to also acquire nuclear weapons. Gunnarsdottir said that if the situation does not improve, sanctions may be the only viable response. She added, however, that the decision to impose sanctions on Iran would need to be approved by the U.N. Security Council, which would require the support of Russia. Gunnarsdottir expressed hope that U.S. relations with Russia are indeed improving as she felt that Russian cooperation would be necessary for reaching a solution on Iran. ¶3. (SBU) Gunnarsdottir also reported that a productive conversation on Afghanistan occurred at the E-PINE meeting. She said participants agreed that Hamid Karzai must do more to combat corruption in Afghanistan and also that more attention must be placed on the important role Pakistan plays in the matter. Gunnarsdottir added that Afghanistan will remain a top priority for the Government of Iceland. (Note: Iceland has five individuals serving in Afghanistan and expects to maintain that commitment for the foreseeable future. End Note.)