GERMAN MFA POLITICAL DIRECTOR HABER REVIEWS TOP

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000094

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DEPT FOR EUR/CE
DEPT FOR S/P

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2020
TAGS: AF GM IR PGOV PREL YM
SUBJECT: GERMAN MFA POLITICAL DIRECTOR HABER REVIEWS TOP
PRIORITIES WITH AMBASSADOR

REF: BERLIN 11

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES GREG DELAWIE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D)


1. (C) In a January 20 introductory call with the Ambassador,
MFA Political Director Emily Haber (see REFTEL) discussed
Iran sanctions strategy, FM Westerwelle's tough message in
Yemen, the politics of Afghanistan, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
She praised U/S/ Burns' leadership in the E3 3 meeting in New
York. Also present were North America Division Director
Beate Maeder-Metcalf and DCM.



2. (C) Haber said her top priority was Iran. Regarding the
January 16 E3 3 meeting in New York, she praised U/S Burns'
leadership, especially his ability to manage the Chinese
representative. She said Germany aims to first forge a
"carefully calibrated solution" in the UNSC before the
European Union begins its own decision-making process. She
suggested that Germany and France did not necessarily see
eye-to-eye on the timing of EU sanctions as the French were
more inclined to push for EU sanctions immediately.
(Comment: MFA Iran experts have stressed to Poloff that
their rationale for waiting to start EU discussions once
UNSCR talks have begun is strategic. They argue that
starting EU talks before the UNSC begins its consideration
will lead to a failure to reach consensus within the EU. The
Germans believe that such a failure would be more destructive
to the overall goal of showing unity to the Iranians than it
would be to wait for the UNSC talks to begin. End comment.)



3. (C) On Afghanistan, Haber said it was important to engage
the Social Democrats (SPD) and get them on board with a new
mandate. She noted Chancellor Merkel was reaching out to the
SPD to gain their support, even as the German government
faces problems convincing a skeptical German public about the
need for an enhanced German presence in RC-North. She
thanked the United States for its patience in giving Germany
time to reflect on its options before and after the January
28 London Conference.



4. (C) Haber joined Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle during
his recent visit to Yemen. She described the country as
"medieval." During their meeting with President Saleh, Saleh
frequently left the room to take phone calls, which
supposedly focused on the state and whereabouts of five
German hostages. Westerwelle repeatedly asked Saleh about
Yemen's national dialogue only to hear: "what national
dialogue are you talking about?" In a separate meeting with
Poloff, MFA State Minister Werner Hoyer's Chief of Staff
noted that Westerwelle had strong words with President Saleh
about solving internal problems with military force.
Westerwelle left the meeting questioning whether it made
sense to continue to throw money at the Yemenis in the
absence of concrete results on CT cooperation and help with
kidnappings.



5. (C) As former Special Envoy for Southeastern Europe and
Turkey, Haber remains worried about political developments in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, which continue to undermine the authority
of the High Representative. She said it was time to exert
more pressure on all parties concerned and think about
restructuring the international community's presence there.
DELAWIE