Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TALLINN247
2009-08-19 15:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
A/S GORDON'S AUGUST 13 VISIT TO ESTONIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTL #0247/01 2311550 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 191550Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0084 INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0005 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0002 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 0007 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0011 RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 0007
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000247
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/08/19
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EN
SUBJECT: A/S GORDON'S AUGUST 13 VISIT TO ESTONIA
CLASSIFIED BY: Karen B. Decker, Charge d'Affaires, State, EXEC;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
Classified by: CDA Karen Decker, reasons 1.4(b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000247
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/08/19
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EN
SUBJECT: A/S GORDON'S AUGUST 13 VISIT TO ESTONIA
CLASSIFIED BY: Karen B. Decker, Charge d'Affaires, State, EXEC;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
Classified by: CDA Karen Decker, reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In his first official visit to Tallinn on August
13, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip
Gordon and Estonian FM Urmas Paet discussed a wide range of issues
and agreed there was much the U.S. and Estonia could do together to
reinforce democracy in Eastern Europe. On Afghanistan, Paet
pledged Estonia's continued support and highlighted Estonia's
interest in future missions on the ground that would partner
Estonian and American troops. Paet responded favorably to A/S
Gordon's assurances that while the U.S. and Russia would "re-set"
relations, the U.S. would not abandon its core principles. Paet
told Gordon that Estonia supported U.S. participation in the EU
Monitoring Mission in Georgia, and said the Estonian Cabinet should
decide in early September on accepting Guantanamo detainees. The
two also discussed energy security, reform in Belarus, cyber
security, NATO, and Baltic Air Policing. Following their meeting,
A/S Gordon and FM Paet held a joint press conference. Gordon also
met with Estonian MP Mart Laar (a signatory of the "open letter")
and reiterated that the U.S. would stand by its friends. END
SUMMARY.
U.S.-ESTONIAN RELATIONS ARE STRONG
--------------
2. (U) Foreign Minister Paet welcomed A/S Gordon to Tallinn on
August 13, emphasizing that the bilateral relationship was strong,
with close communication and cooperation between Washington and
Tallinn. He praised the June meeting between Presidents Obama and
Ilves as an excellent example of the close relationship and said he
looked forward to his scheduled meeting with the Secretary on
September 17 in Washington.
AFGHANISTAN: MORE JOINT MISSIONS
--------------
3. (C) Paet noted recent local press reports that Estonia currently
had the highest deployment percentage (13.5 percent) per capita in
Afghanistan of any NATO country. He assured A/S Gordon that the
Government of Estonia (GOE) was committed to the ISAF mission for
the long term. Looking ahead to 2010 (and beyond),Paet stated
that Estonia was thinking about ways to continue serving directly
with U.S. forces (in addition, not instead of, its longstanding
deployment with UK forces in Helmand). For instance, the GOE was
looking at an Embedded Training Team (ETT) for the Afghan Army, and
hoped to staff an OMLT (together with the Maryland National Guard)
in 2011. (Note: In the press conference, a journalist asked where,
after Afghanistan, the Estonian military could work directly with
the U.S.).
4. (C) Paet also briefed Gordon on the GOE's civil assistance to
Afghanistan, including its medical expert in Helmand Province, and
its contributions to the Afghan National Army Fund. Closer to
home, Paet offered Estonia's ports and transport network for the
delivery of supplies to forces in Afghanistan. A/S Gordon thanked
Paet for Estonia's strong support for the Afghanistan mission, and
said the USG would work closely with the GOE on future cooperation.
EVALUATING THE RUSSIAN THREAT
--------------
5. (C) Paet expressed concern about Russia's new draft law on the
use of force abroad, though he admitted that many countries have
such a law, and that in certain cases (terrorism or piracy),
Russia's law might make sense. He agreed with Gordon, however,
that there was a difference when such a law (like the U.S. doctrine
on preemption) came from a democratic country. After the war in
Georgia, and following Russian statements about protecting Russian
passport holders abroad, however, Estonia looked at this draft law
with a jaundiced eye.
6. (C) In response to Paet's question about the "reset" with
Russia, Gordon explained that President Obama's visit to Russia had
launched a number of agreements, but that the real test would be
implementation. He reiterated that the USG would cooperate with
Russia where practical, while remaining clear about areas of
disagreement. Part of the USG strategy, Gordon explained, was to
give Moscow more of a stake in the relationship so that it would
not want to jeopardize that relationship through negative policies.
One troubling issue remained achieving progress on the Adapted
Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE). Paet agreed that
Russia did not seem open to compromise, and Gordon reiterated that
the U.S. would not make concessions on the flank areas.
U.S. OBSERVERS IN GEORGIA?
--------------
7. (C) Both Paet and Gordon expressed satisfaction that the
anniversary of the Georgian-Russian conflict had passed relatively
quietly, despite PM Putin's recent trip to Abkhazia. A/S Gordon
reiterated the strong USG support for Georgia (high-level visits,
launching of the Strategic Charter, and USD one billion in
assistance). At the same time, there was no military solution to
the separatist regions. Gordon said the EU Monitoring Mission
(EUMM) was critically important for both sides in Georgia. The
U.S. was glad the EU extended its mandate by another year. Paet
agreed, noting that the international presence in Georgia was the
most effective difference from a year ago. At the last GAERC, he
said, Estonia, Lithuania and others proposed opening the EUMM to
third countries, such as the U.S. This will likely be discussed
further at the September or October GAERCs. Gordon reiterated USG
support for the EUMM, but said that for now the U.S. was not
pushing to join.
GTMO DETAINEES
--------------
8. (C) Paet briefly mentioned that he continued to discuss inside
the GOE the USG request that Estonia resettle detainees from
Guantanamo. He had spoken to the Minister of Interior earlier in
the day. He told Gordon that the GOE's evaluation process was
on-going, and he expected a Cabinet decision in early September.
ENERGY SECURITY = DIVERSITY
--------------
9. (C) Paet welcomed USG interest in Europe's energy security,
(Nabucco),saying he found it ironic that the U.S. was often more
interested in this than was Europe. Estonia fully supported the
proposed U.S.-EU Energy Council. Paet explained the main challenge
for Estonia was to link its electrical grid with Europe. He
further explained that while Estonia imported all of its gas from
Russia, gas only made up less than 20 percent of Estonia's energy
supply. Estonia generated almost all of its electricity from
domestic oil shale. Estonia was working with Latvia and Lithuania
to replace Lithuania's Ignalina nuclear plant. Lack of political
will in Lithuania had slowed progress, so Estonia was considering
building its own nuclear power plant. With multiple plants in the
region (Finland, Russia),this might not make economic sense, but
the issue was under discussion in the GOE.
CHANGE IN BELARUS? LET'S ENCOURAGE IT!
--------------
10. (C) When asked his assessment of Belarus, Gordon noted that
Minsk had recently taken some positive steps (releasing political
prisoners, easing some repression on the media and NGOs, not
recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia). While he was going to
Minsk to see whether relations could improve, the U.S. would not
lift sanctions until it saw improvements in the human rights
situation. Paet expressed his own hope of reform, while noting
that Lukashenko's goal was to remain in power. Paet related that
Lukashenko had been especially irked when Moscow banned the
importation of Belarusian milk this summer, "treating Belarus like
Ukraine or Georgia." While the GOE will not forget about Belarus'
human rights violations of the past 15 years either, the GOE was
also looking to improve relations, and was upgrading its consulate
to an embassy to help "lure Minsk to the West."
11. (C) Paet praised the new spirit of cooperation between the
Obama Administration and the EU, and said this close cooperation
could facilitate support for rule of law in countries like Belarus.
He added that Estonia businessmen find it easier to do business in
Belarus than in Ukraine, possibly because Belarus only has one
oligarch. Even without any real political ties, Estonian trade
with Belarus now exceeds trade with Ukraine. Paet and Gordon
agreed they should look for ways (bilaterally and through EU
mechanisms like the Eastern Partnership) for ways to continue to
encourage democratization in Belarus, especially in the run-up to
the U.S.-EU Summit.
SECURITY ROUND-UP
--------------
12. (SBU) Paet invited the U.S. to "join" Estonia's Cyber Defense
Center as a sponsoring nation, and suggested bilateral talks
between Estonian and USG experts on cyber defense. (Note: The USG
has a USN civilian at the center currently, but has not yet become
a sponsor. Approval rests with DoD.) Stressing the importance of
NATO's Article V, Paet thanked the USG for its participation in
Baltic Air Policing and called the program "crucial for Estonia's
defense." Paet also thanked the USG for supporting the pan-Baltic
representative to the group developing NATO's new Strategic
Concept. He added, finally, that Estonia would appreciate USG
support for its 2012 candidacy to the UN Human Rights Committee and
in 2020 when it wants to become a member of the UN Security
Council.
MART LAAR AND THE OPEN LETTER
--------------
13. (U) Following the meeting with Paet, A/S Gordon met with
Estonian MP (and former Prime Minister) Mart Laar. Laar, a
signatory of the "open letter" defended the substance of the letter
and reiterated his desire to see the U.S. maintain its leading role
as the defender of democracy in Europe. A/S Gordon assured Laar
that the U.S. would never abandon its friends.
14. (U) Media coverage of A/S Gordon's visit was wide and
positive, in both Estonian and Russian-language media outlets
(e-mailed separately to EUR/NB).
15. (U) A/S Gordon has cleared this message.
DECKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/08/19
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EN
SUBJECT: A/S GORDON'S AUGUST 13 VISIT TO ESTONIA
CLASSIFIED BY: Karen B. Decker, Charge d'Affaires, State, EXEC;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
Classified by: CDA Karen Decker, reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: In his first official visit to Tallinn on August
13, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip
Gordon and Estonian FM Urmas Paet discussed a wide range of issues
and agreed there was much the U.S. and Estonia could do together to
reinforce democracy in Eastern Europe. On Afghanistan, Paet
pledged Estonia's continued support and highlighted Estonia's
interest in future missions on the ground that would partner
Estonian and American troops. Paet responded favorably to A/S
Gordon's assurances that while the U.S. and Russia would "re-set"
relations, the U.S. would not abandon its core principles. Paet
told Gordon that Estonia supported U.S. participation in the EU
Monitoring Mission in Georgia, and said the Estonian Cabinet should
decide in early September on accepting Guantanamo detainees. The
two also discussed energy security, reform in Belarus, cyber
security, NATO, and Baltic Air Policing. Following their meeting,
A/S Gordon and FM Paet held a joint press conference. Gordon also
met with Estonian MP Mart Laar (a signatory of the "open letter")
and reiterated that the U.S. would stand by its friends. END
SUMMARY.
U.S.-ESTONIAN RELATIONS ARE STRONG
--------------
2. (U) Foreign Minister Paet welcomed A/S Gordon to Tallinn on
August 13, emphasizing that the bilateral relationship was strong,
with close communication and cooperation between Washington and
Tallinn. He praised the June meeting between Presidents Obama and
Ilves as an excellent example of the close relationship and said he
looked forward to his scheduled meeting with the Secretary on
September 17 in Washington.
AFGHANISTAN: MORE JOINT MISSIONS
--------------
3. (C) Paet noted recent local press reports that Estonia currently
had the highest deployment percentage (13.5 percent) per capita in
Afghanistan of any NATO country. He assured A/S Gordon that the
Government of Estonia (GOE) was committed to the ISAF mission for
the long term. Looking ahead to 2010 (and beyond),Paet stated
that Estonia was thinking about ways to continue serving directly
with U.S. forces (in addition, not instead of, its longstanding
deployment with UK forces in Helmand). For instance, the GOE was
looking at an Embedded Training Team (ETT) for the Afghan Army, and
hoped to staff an OMLT (together with the Maryland National Guard)
in 2011. (Note: In the press conference, a journalist asked where,
after Afghanistan, the Estonian military could work directly with
the U.S.).
4. (C) Paet also briefed Gordon on the GOE's civil assistance to
Afghanistan, including its medical expert in Helmand Province, and
its contributions to the Afghan National Army Fund. Closer to
home, Paet offered Estonia's ports and transport network for the
delivery of supplies to forces in Afghanistan. A/S Gordon thanked
Paet for Estonia's strong support for the Afghanistan mission, and
said the USG would work closely with the GOE on future cooperation.
EVALUATING THE RUSSIAN THREAT
--------------
5. (C) Paet expressed concern about Russia's new draft law on the
use of force abroad, though he admitted that many countries have
such a law, and that in certain cases (terrorism or piracy),
Russia's law might make sense. He agreed with Gordon, however,
that there was a difference when such a law (like the U.S. doctrine
on preemption) came from a democratic country. After the war in
Georgia, and following Russian statements about protecting Russian
passport holders abroad, however, Estonia looked at this draft law
with a jaundiced eye.
6. (C) In response to Paet's question about the "reset" with
Russia, Gordon explained that President Obama's visit to Russia had
launched a number of agreements, but that the real test would be
implementation. He reiterated that the USG would cooperate with
Russia where practical, while remaining clear about areas of
disagreement. Part of the USG strategy, Gordon explained, was to
give Moscow more of a stake in the relationship so that it would
not want to jeopardize that relationship through negative policies.
One troubling issue remained achieving progress on the Adapted
Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE). Paet agreed that
Russia did not seem open to compromise, and Gordon reiterated that
the U.S. would not make concessions on the flank areas.
U.S. OBSERVERS IN GEORGIA?
--------------
7. (C) Both Paet and Gordon expressed satisfaction that the
anniversary of the Georgian-Russian conflict had passed relatively
quietly, despite PM Putin's recent trip to Abkhazia. A/S Gordon
reiterated the strong USG support for Georgia (high-level visits,
launching of the Strategic Charter, and USD one billion in
assistance). At the same time, there was no military solution to
the separatist regions. Gordon said the EU Monitoring Mission
(EUMM) was critically important for both sides in Georgia. The
U.S. was glad the EU extended its mandate by another year. Paet
agreed, noting that the international presence in Georgia was the
most effective difference from a year ago. At the last GAERC, he
said, Estonia, Lithuania and others proposed opening the EUMM to
third countries, such as the U.S. This will likely be discussed
further at the September or October GAERCs. Gordon reiterated USG
support for the EUMM, but said that for now the U.S. was not
pushing to join.
GTMO DETAINEES
--------------
8. (C) Paet briefly mentioned that he continued to discuss inside
the GOE the USG request that Estonia resettle detainees from
Guantanamo. He had spoken to the Minister of Interior earlier in
the day. He told Gordon that the GOE's evaluation process was
on-going, and he expected a Cabinet decision in early September.
ENERGY SECURITY = DIVERSITY
--------------
9. (C) Paet welcomed USG interest in Europe's energy security,
(Nabucco),saying he found it ironic that the U.S. was often more
interested in this than was Europe. Estonia fully supported the
proposed U.S.-EU Energy Council. Paet explained the main challenge
for Estonia was to link its electrical grid with Europe. He
further explained that while Estonia imported all of its gas from
Russia, gas only made up less than 20 percent of Estonia's energy
supply. Estonia generated almost all of its electricity from
domestic oil shale. Estonia was working with Latvia and Lithuania
to replace Lithuania's Ignalina nuclear plant. Lack of political
will in Lithuania had slowed progress, so Estonia was considering
building its own nuclear power plant. With multiple plants in the
region (Finland, Russia),this might not make economic sense, but
the issue was under discussion in the GOE.
CHANGE IN BELARUS? LET'S ENCOURAGE IT!
--------------
10. (C) When asked his assessment of Belarus, Gordon noted that
Minsk had recently taken some positive steps (releasing political
prisoners, easing some repression on the media and NGOs, not
recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia). While he was going to
Minsk to see whether relations could improve, the U.S. would not
lift sanctions until it saw improvements in the human rights
situation. Paet expressed his own hope of reform, while noting
that Lukashenko's goal was to remain in power. Paet related that
Lukashenko had been especially irked when Moscow banned the
importation of Belarusian milk this summer, "treating Belarus like
Ukraine or Georgia." While the GOE will not forget about Belarus'
human rights violations of the past 15 years either, the GOE was
also looking to improve relations, and was upgrading its consulate
to an embassy to help "lure Minsk to the West."
11. (C) Paet praised the new spirit of cooperation between the
Obama Administration and the EU, and said this close cooperation
could facilitate support for rule of law in countries like Belarus.
He added that Estonia businessmen find it easier to do business in
Belarus than in Ukraine, possibly because Belarus only has one
oligarch. Even without any real political ties, Estonian trade
with Belarus now exceeds trade with Ukraine. Paet and Gordon
agreed they should look for ways (bilaterally and through EU
mechanisms like the Eastern Partnership) for ways to continue to
encourage democratization in Belarus, especially in the run-up to
the U.S.-EU Summit.
SECURITY ROUND-UP
--------------
12. (SBU) Paet invited the U.S. to "join" Estonia's Cyber Defense
Center as a sponsoring nation, and suggested bilateral talks
between Estonian and USG experts on cyber defense. (Note: The USG
has a USN civilian at the center currently, but has not yet become
a sponsor. Approval rests with DoD.) Stressing the importance of
NATO's Article V, Paet thanked the USG for its participation in
Baltic Air Policing and called the program "crucial for Estonia's
defense." Paet also thanked the USG for supporting the pan-Baltic
representative to the group developing NATO's new Strategic
Concept. He added, finally, that Estonia would appreciate USG
support for its 2012 candidacy to the UN Human Rights Committee and
in 2020 when it wants to become a member of the UN Security
Council.
MART LAAR AND THE OPEN LETTER
--------------
13. (U) Following the meeting with Paet, A/S Gordon met with
Estonian MP (and former Prime Minister) Mart Laar. Laar, a
signatory of the "open letter" defended the substance of the letter
and reiterated his desire to see the U.S. maintain its leading role
as the defender of democracy in Europe. A/S Gordon assured Laar
that the U.S. would never abandon its friends.
14. (U) Media coverage of A/S Gordon's visit was wide and
positive, in both Estonian and Russian-language media outlets
(e-mailed separately to EUR/NB).
15. (U) A/S Gordon has cleared this message.
DECKER