POLISH VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 001087

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR, SCA, NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PL
SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

REF: EUR/ERA E-MAIL 10/17/2009

Classified By: Political Counselor Dan Sainz for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Poland largely shares U.S. views on the
Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan and the Middle East.
Poland supports a sustained EU operational presence in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, as well as visa liberalization regimes for
both Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poland appreciates
Swedish Presidency efforts to strengthen EU action in
Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly with respect to
strengthening Afghanistan's electoral mechanisms. While
Poland supports the EU's human rights strategy in
Afghanistan, it will press other EU member states to take a
more realistic approach. Poland will also push for continued
EU support for U.S. efforts in the Middle East, including a
Swedish Presidency proposal to develop "deposits" -- i.e., a
list of ready-to-go deliverables when negotiations resume.
On Iran, Poland supports work on an EU position with respect
to future stages of negotiations and a calendar of actions,
including autonomous sanctions, to be taken in case talks
fail. Poland will press for greater EU engagement in Moldova
to prevent an anti-Western backlash, especially initiatives
to draw the EU and Moldova's financial institutions closer
together. END SUMMARY.

WESTERN BALKANS
--------------


2. (C) Poloff delivered ref points October 19 to MFA EU
Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski. In a follow-up meeting
October 22, Kozaczewski said Poland is working to drive
discussion in the EU in a similar direction. On the Western
Balkans, Poland sees positive signs and forward momentum, but
remains concerned about the political conflict in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Poland will push EU member states to support
unambiguously all actions crucial for strengthening the
country's territorial integrity and observance of Dayton
Agreement regulations. As such, it is crucial for the EU to
maintain an operational presence in the country to ensure
further stabilization and stimulate reforms. Poland supports
extending visa liberalization to Albania and Bosnia and
Herzegovina as soon as the two countries reach the road map
requirements laid down by the Commission in 2008. Political
considerations must not override the need for proper
technical preparation for visa-free travel, Kozaczewski
emphasized.

AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN
--------------


3. (C) Poland appreciates the Swedish Presidency's work to
date on a plan to strengthen EU action in Afghanistan and
Pakistan and will push for rapid implementation. The EU
should be closely involved in the second round of
presidential elections to promote a transparent and credible
process, as well as a legitimate outcome. The EU should take
a forward-looking approach to 2010 parliamentary elections
and continue to support improvements in Afghanistan's
electoral system and other aspects of Afghanistan's ongoing
democratization process. Poland supports the EU Human Rights
Strategy in Afghanistan, but will push other member states to
take a more realistic approach towards the time frame and
scope of full implementation.

MIDDLE EAST
--------------


4. (C) Poland will press for continued EU support for U.S.
efforts to break the impasse in the Middle East Peace
Process. Poland hopes that Special Envoy Mitchell's talks
with the Israelis and Palestinians will lead to the
re-launching of negotiations. Poland supports proposals laid
out in a Swedish Presidency non-paper on "deposits" -- i.e.,
a list of what the EU can offer after negotiations resume in
terms of security policy, protection of refugees, etc.
Poland believes Syria's role is of crucial importance and
hopes the EU-Syria association agreement will be signed soon.

IRAN
--------------


5. (C) Kozaczewski said foreign ministers would discuss Iran
over dinner. Poland remains skeptical about Iranian
intentions, but views the launch of direct U.S.-Iran contacts
during the October 1 meeting in Geneva as a positive outcome.
Poland supports efforts to draft an EU position with respect
to future stages of the negotiations and to prepare a
calendar of actions to be taken in case talks fail.
Kozaczewski said he expected the "usual suspects" would

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continue to hold out on sanctions in favor of continued
outreach to China and Russia on UN sanctions.

MOLDOVA
--------------


6. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland would press EU foreign
ministers to be more proactive on Moldova. This is a
breakthrough moment for Moldova. The EU needs to address
Moldova's fragile political and economic situation to prevent
an anti-Western backlash, he stressed. Poland supports EU
action aimed at maintaining stability and mitigating the
effects of the crisis. In line with the goals of the Eastern
Partnership and June 15 GAERC conclusions, Poland also backs
initiatives to draw the EU and Moldova -- particularly
financial institutions -- closer together.

TULLEY