Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TALLINN333
2009-11-13 15:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:  

Estonia Likely to Support U.S. NATO Enlargement Strategy

Tags:  PREL NATO PARM MARR KTIA EN NUC 
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VZCZCXRO7574
RR RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHTL #0333 3171524
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 131524Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0217
INFO ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0006
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000333 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/13
TAGS: PREL NATO PARM MARR KTIA EN NUC
SUBJECT: Estonia Likely to Support U.S. NATO Enlargement Strategy

REF: STATE 116100

CLASSIFIED BY: Marc Nordberg, Political/Economic Chief; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)

Classified by Charge Karen Decker for Reasons 1.4 B & D.



C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000333

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/13
TAGS: PREL NATO PARM MARR KTIA EN NUC
SUBJECT: Estonia Likely to Support U.S. NATO Enlargement Strategy

REF: STATE 116100

CLASSIFIED BY: Marc Nordberg, Political/Economic Chief; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)

Classified by Charge Karen Decker for Reasons 1.4 B & D.




1. (C) Pol Chief delivered reftel points November 13 to MFA
Security Policy Director Paul Teesalu. Teesalu said the GOE is
still engaged in internal debate on its position towards
enlargement for the December ministerial, and thanked the USG for
these points which would influence Estonia's thinking. Teesalu
claimed the reftel points looked like something he would have
written, and believes Estonia will also adopt the USG position
towards all aspirants.




2. (C) Teesalu only had one reservation about the USG points. The
GOE believes that NATO should adopt an open position that there are
multiple paths to membership. Estonia feels that it is important
to reassure publicly Georgia and Ukraine that MAP is not the only
mechanism towards membership. This is vital, especially as NATO
expands in the Balkans, to encourage reform in both countries and
to show third countries (Russia) that Ukraine and Georgia are
potential NATO members. Teesalu argued that NATO will have to
discuss shortly which paths to membership exist, not least since
this should be spelled out in the strategic concept.




3. (C) Teesalu added that Georgia and Ukraine both have modest
expectations for the December ministerial. Both countries realize
their positions, due to the August 2008 war and political and
economic problems in Ukraine, are weaker than they were several
years ago. Georgia simply hopes for expressions of support, while
Ukraine wants to hear that there are multiple paths to membership.
Ukraine is considering forcing a debate on paths to membership in
the NATO-Ukraine Commission, but the GOE has advised Ukraine to
allow this to remain a matter for internal NATO debate.
DECKER