LUXEMBOURG VIEWS ON FEBRUARY 2010 FAC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000041 SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO EUR/ERA: ELIZABETH KONICK AMEMBASSY ANKARA PASS TO AMCONSUL ADANA AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO AMCONSUL ALMATY AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL LEIPZIG AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/19 TAGS: ENRG PGOV EUN IR HA UP LU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG VIEWS ON FEBRUARY 2010 FAC REF: ELIZABETH KONICK EMAIL 02/18/2010; 10 LUXEMBOURG 37 10 LUXEMBOURG 35 CLASSIFIED BY: Via, Michael, Pol/Econ Chief, DOS, Pol/Econ; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Pol/Econ Chief discussed Ref A points on U.S. positions concerning the February 22 FAC (Foreign Affairs Council) with Sandra Metz, MFA temporary European Desk Officer, February 19. Metz said Foreign Minister Asselborn would likely travel to another country next week and may not attend the FAC meeting. She volunteered that the MFA had not yet decided who would attend if Asselborn travelled elsewhere. Metz stated that GOL positions concerning Iran and Haiti remained unchanged. The GOL expects to discuss Ukraine in some detail at the FAC and has begun to solidify its position in favor of using the European Energy Community's invitation to Ukraine as leverage to promote reform. End summary. ¶2. (C) IRAN: Metz said the GOL position concerning Iran was unchanged. They continue to support the U.S. position and would support multilateral sanctions even if Russia or China veto a UNSC resolution (Ref. C). ¶3. (C) UKRAINE: According to Metz, the GOL has begun to solidify its position in favor of using the European Energy Community's invitation to Ukraine as leverage to promote reform. However, the GOL understands the concerns of other EU member states that February may be too early in the Yanukovych Presidency to say "Congratulations on your electoral victory, now make reforms." Metz explained that the GOL views Ukraine as important to the EU in general and Luxembourg in particular, both for its strategic location near Russia and as a trading partner with the EU. ¶4. (C) HAITI: Metz said the GOL position concerning further assistance to Haiti remains unchanged. Luxembourg may provide additional assistance through the EU but has not made any final decisions (Ref. B). MINIMIZE CONSIDERED Stroum