Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BERLIN86
2010-01-22 11:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN VIEWS ON JANUARY 25 EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS
how-toVZCZCXRO4988 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHRL #0086 0221109 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221109Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6332 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000086
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020
TAGS: PREL EUN IR BK SO AF UP GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON JANUARY 25 EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COUNCIL
REF: 15 JANUARY KONICK E-MAIL
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR GEORGE GLASS. REASONS: 1.4
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000086
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020
TAGS: PREL EUN IR BK SO AF UP GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON JANUARY 25 EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COUNCIL
REF: 15 JANUARY KONICK E-MAIL
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR GEORGE GLASS. REASONS: 1.4
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to MFA European
Correspondent Michael Fluegger on January 18 and followed
up with him on January 20.
2. (C) On Iran, Fluegger said Germany supported all the
U.S. points, with the exception of the one calling for the
EU to repeat that it stands ready to "accompany" UNSC
action. Fluegger noted that this had been the subject of
discussion between Undersecretary Burns, EUR A/S Gordon and
Political Director Haber at a meeting the previous week.
Fluegger explained that Germany was concerned that a
reiteration of the EU statement at this point in the UNSCR
negotiations could inadvertently signal to the Russians and
Chinese that the EU was already giving up on getting a
satisfactory result in the UN, thereby reducing their
incentive to engage constructively.
3. (C) On Bosnia, Fluegger emphasized that Germany could
not support the U.S. suggestion of enhancing the
dual-hatted OHR/EUSR by granting it the EU "tool kit"
envisioned for the post-OHR EUSR. Fluegger explained that
investing the OHR/EUSR with such control would essentially
give non-EU members influence over EU decision-making,
thereby crossing a clear red line. The only way the EUSR
could be granted the "tool kit" was if it was de-coupled
from the OHR. Fluegger noted that Germany, in fact,
supported taking this step.
4. (C) On Somalia, Fluegger said that he expected the EU
Council to approve the proposed EU training mission in
Uganda in February. However, he noted that Germany still
had concerns about EU-trained Somalian soldiers returning
to Somalia and joining militias rather than supporting the
government. Germany also had questions about the payment
of soldiers' salaries.
5. (C) On Afghanistan, Fluegger agreed that while holding
parliamentary elections in May would be very difficult, the
decision to postpone must come from the Afghans rather than
the international community. The Afghans needed to be
convinced that it was not in their own interest to risk a
second failed election so soon after last year's
presidential election debacle. Fluegger also confirmed
that, in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, the EU was
likely to appoint a single EU representative to Afghanistan
very soon, replacing the two separate EU representatives
present there up to now.
6. (SBU) Fluegger said Germany agreed with all the U.S.
points on Ukraine and Serbia, but noted that neither one
was on the agenda for the January 25 FAC. He said that
discussion of Ukraine had been postponed until next month's
FAC, given the need for the February 7 run-off to decide
the presidential race.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020
TAGS: PREL EUN IR BK SO AF UP GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON JANUARY 25 EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COUNCIL
REF: 15 JANUARY KONICK E-MAIL
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR GEORGE GLASS. REASONS: 1.4
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to MFA European
Correspondent Michael Fluegger on January 18 and followed
up with him on January 20.
2. (C) On Iran, Fluegger said Germany supported all the
U.S. points, with the exception of the one calling for the
EU to repeat that it stands ready to "accompany" UNSC
action. Fluegger noted that this had been the subject of
discussion between Undersecretary Burns, EUR A/S Gordon and
Political Director Haber at a meeting the previous week.
Fluegger explained that Germany was concerned that a
reiteration of the EU statement at this point in the UNSCR
negotiations could inadvertently signal to the Russians and
Chinese that the EU was already giving up on getting a
satisfactory result in the UN, thereby reducing their
incentive to engage constructively.
3. (C) On Bosnia, Fluegger emphasized that Germany could
not support the U.S. suggestion of enhancing the
dual-hatted OHR/EUSR by granting it the EU "tool kit"
envisioned for the post-OHR EUSR. Fluegger explained that
investing the OHR/EUSR with such control would essentially
give non-EU members influence over EU decision-making,
thereby crossing a clear red line. The only way the EUSR
could be granted the "tool kit" was if it was de-coupled
from the OHR. Fluegger noted that Germany, in fact,
supported taking this step.
4. (C) On Somalia, Fluegger said that he expected the EU
Council to approve the proposed EU training mission in
Uganda in February. However, he noted that Germany still
had concerns about EU-trained Somalian soldiers returning
to Somalia and joining militias rather than supporting the
government. Germany also had questions about the payment
of soldiers' salaries.
5. (C) On Afghanistan, Fluegger agreed that while holding
parliamentary elections in May would be very difficult, the
decision to postpone must come from the Afghans rather than
the international community. The Afghans needed to be
convinced that it was not in their own interest to risk a
second failed election so soon after last year's
presidential election debacle. Fluegger also confirmed
that, in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, the EU was
likely to appoint a single EU representative to Afghanistan
very soon, replacing the two separate EU representatives
present there up to now.
6. (SBU) Fluegger said Germany agreed with all the U.S.
points on Ukraine and Serbia, but noted that neither one
was on the agenda for the January 25 FAC. He said that
discussion of Ukraine had been postponed until next month's
FAC, given the need for the February 7 run-off to decide
the presidential race.
MURPHY