

Currently released so far... 12648 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BRUSSELS854, JUNE GAERC - GUANTANAMO, IRELAND, THE MIDDLE EAST,
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BRUSSELS854.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09BRUSSELS854 | 2009-06-19 17:11 | 2011-02-02 15:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | USEU Brussels |
VZCZCXRO7516
PP RUEHAG RUEHKW RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHBS #0854/01 1701711
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191711Z JUN 09 ZDK
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNMUC/EU CANDIDATE STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFITT/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 000854
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON EUN AF BK CU HR IR IZ MD PK
SI
SUBJECT: JUNE GAERC - GUANTANAMO, IRELAND, THE MIDDLE EAST,
WESTERN BALKANS AND MO...
213120
2009-06-19
09BRUSSELS854
USEU Brussels
CONFIDENTIAL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 000854
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON EUN AF BK CU HR IR IZ MD PK
SI
SUBJECT: JUNE GAERC - GUANTANAMO, IRELAND, THE MIDDLE EAST,
WESTERN BALKANS AND MORE
BRUSSELS 00000854 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: USEU POL M-C Christopher Davis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).
¶1. (C) Summary: Meeting in Luxembourg on June 15, EU
Foreign Ministers prepared the June 18-19 European Council
summit meeting on guarantees for Ireland and financial
regulation, and they addressed the Middle East, Western
Balkans, and Cuba. Significantly, they announced the
approval of joint US-EU joint statement on Guantanamo. The
EU-Israel Association Council was new Israeli Foreign
Minister Lieberman's first interaction with EU Foreign
Ministers since assuming his new post, but it resulted in no
progress on upgrading relations. A planned dinner with the
Secretary General of the Arab League was canceled over
formalities, but a summit with King Abdullah of Jordan
remained scheduled for the margins of the Council, as did a
meeting between Enlargement Commissioner Rehn and the Foreign
Ministers of both Slovenia and Croatia. End Summary.
General Affairs
---------------
¶2. (SBU) Chaired by Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Jan Kohout and Czech Minister of European Affairs
Stephan Fule, the General Affairs Council discussed
Guantanamo closure and preparations for the upcoming European
Council meeting June 18-19. The Council adopted without
discussion the EU-US Joint Statement on the closure of the
Guantanamo Bay detention facility and future
counter-terrorism cooperation. Summing up what he described
as a joint effort of the Czech presidency, the EU
counter-terrorism coordinator, and the U.S., Kohout said that
joint statement was looking both to the past and to the
future. Kohout stressed that Ministers had not discussed
numbers of prisoners to be transferred, but about the means
and conditions that give us a heading for a political
agreement with the U.S.
¶3. (SBU) In addition to discussing Guantanamo, Ministers
focused on preparing draft conclusions for the European
Council meeting June 18-19, with guarantees for Ireland to
organize another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and
financial regulation figuring prominently. Kohout reported
that Irish colleagues presented a draft text of guarantees
which he described as a result of consultations with the
presidency and the Council's legal department. He said that
very good progress had been made and that the process was on
track. According to Kohout, the guarantees sought by the
Irish involve social aspects, workers rights, taxation, and
security and defense (septel). Suggesting that this was
still a work in progress, Kohout reported that the final
round of consultations among the EU27 would start on June 16.
¶4. (SBU) Kohout said that the aim of the presidency was to
ensure a smooth passage of the text at the European Summit
and that it not reopen the ratification process for Lisbon,
nor go against the consensus reached at the December 2008
summit. Suele reported that while the EU27 should approach
the issue of the Irish guarantees with creativity, the
means should not create problems in the other Member States.
Some Member States expressed concern that adopting a protocol
as opposed to just a declaration could reopen domestic debate
in their countries on ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
¶5. (SBU) Kohout reported that the presidency received broad
support for its draft of the European Council conclusions on
1) financial regulation and support for a new framework based
on proposals by the Commission, 2) climate change (which will
reflect the conclusions of the last Ecofin Council), 3)
immigration (Kohout saying a European response based on
solidarity was needed and that conclusions will touch upon
cooperation with both countries of origin and transit), 4)
Afghanistan-Pakistan, and 5) the Middle East.
External Affairs - the Middle East
----------------------------------
¶6. (SBU) Chaired by Czech Deputy PM and FM Kohout, the
External Affairs session focused on the Middle East, Western
Balkans, and Cuba. The Council welcomed the initial step
announced by Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Netanyahu of
commitment to a peace that would include a Palestinian state
and urged both parties to take immediate steps to resume
BRUSSELS 00000854 002.2 OF 003
peace negotiations, respecting previous agreements and
understandings. Kohout said great attention was also paid to
the June 4 speech of President Obama. He said that the
positions of the EU and the U.S. were remaMiddle East. of Jue 15 did not yield much progress.
According 4o the Israeli Embassy, Ferrero-Waldner and others
emphasized that the mood was not right Qt this point for
progress on the upgrade in rQlations decided in 2008. The
Action Plan (the implementation document for the Association
Agreement) expired in May 2009 and was simply continued, with
the EU also not wanting to move forward at this time. There
was no joint statement from the Association Council meeting,
and the statement issued by the EU links forward movement on
the upgrade in relations to the context of the peace
process. In addition, a dinner planned for June 14 between
the EU Troika and the Arab League Secretary General Amr
Moussa was canceled in a disagreement over formalities, but
then Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos hosted a personal
invitation dinner June 15 which included some Arab states
(reportedly Algeria, the UAE, Palestinian Authority, and the
Arab League's Amr Moussa) and a handful of Europeans.
¶9. (SBU) On Iran, the Council noted concerns regarding the
conduct of the Iranian presidential elections and expressed
serious concern about the violence on the streets and the use
of force against peaceful demonstrators. HR Solana said that
the elections had been followed with attention. While
noting the high level of voter turnout, he said that the EU
was now concerned by events unfolding in Tehran and added we
want a solid relationship with Iran - we have a lot to do
together.
External Affairs - Western Balkans
----------------------------------
¶10. (SBU) The GAERC Conclusions called for the countries of
the region to further accelerate and implement reforms
necessary to fulfill the necessary accession-related
benchmarks. During the working lunch, Ministers had an
exchange of views with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Brammertz,
following his report to the UNSC on cooperation by Serbia and
other countries with the ICTY. Commissioner Rehn reported
that the Council brought the Commission some good news on
the Western Balkans and welcomed the Council's invitation to
the Commission to present a proposal for a legislative
framework for visa free travel for those countries that will
have met the benchmarks. Rehn reported that the Commission
BRUSSELS 00000854 003.2 OF 003
will present this proposal before the summer break.
¶11. (SBU) Regarding the ongoing border dispute between
Slovenia and Croatia which hampers Croatia's EU accession
negotiations, Rehn reported that he had met with the
presidency trio and then with the Slovene and Croatian FMs,
adding we will continue the discussions to find a solution.
He said that the presidency trio endorses the process and
that the two FMs will now consult further with their
respective governments. Later, Rehn confessed that
productivity could be higher, but we're doing indepth work
with colleagues.
¶12. (SBU) Asked to comment about a lack of achievement on
Enlargement during the Czech presidency, FM Kohout said that
the questioner was right, but due to circumstances results
could not materialize so far - we still have two weeks time
and I'm still optimistic. Asked whether Serbia would be
debated again at the European Council, Kohout said that
today's discussion had been in an informal setting (over
lunch) and that my feeling is that we are closer to
understanding what we can do - I can't exclude that the
European Council will address the issue. Responding to a
question about people-to-people contacts with Kosovo,
Commissioner Rehn said that the issue would be addressed in a
feasibility study to be presented by the Commission in
October and confirmed that the Commission wanted to work for
the Europeanization of Kosovo.
¶13. (C) A friendly country contact told us that the
discussion on Serbia was the most contentious of the GAERC,
wherein Dutch FM Verhagen dug himself a complete hole.8
Swedish FM Bildt and UK FM Miliband reportedly &got very
cross8 with the Dutch FM blocking the interim agreement
until Mladic and Hadzic are turned over to the ICTY.
Belgrade is doing better and needs forward movement with the
EU, our contact contended, and he attributed Verhagen,s
obduracy not only to the legacy of Srebrenica, but to his
wanting to be seen as tough in the context of Dutch
parliamentary politics.
External Affairs - Cuba and Other Countries
-------------------------------------------
¶14. (SBU) In the context of the annual review of the EU
Common Position, the Council welcomed the resumption of the
political dialogue with Cuba. Further, the Council said that
the political dialogue should be pursued and deepened on a
comprehensive, equal and result-oriented basis. The Council
also agreed to review its Common Position on Cuba again in
June 2010. FM Kohout reported that meetings with the Cuban
opposition would go ahead at all opportunities. Asked
about reaction to a letter reportedly sent to the Czechs by
Cuban groups calling for a tougher approach on the part of
the EU, Kohout said that the Czech Republic would return to
be a normal member state as of July 1st and will then be
defining a position. He noted that contacts with the Cuban
opposition are a constant of European policy and added the
contacts we had gave us the feeling that these contacts make
sense.
¶15. (SBU) On Burma, the Council reviewed EU policy on Burma
in the light of developments in the country, in particular
political prisoners, ethnic minorities, respect for human
rights, and progress toward the establishment of an inclusive
democratization process in the run-up to planned elections.
The debate focused on the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi,
the Council agreeing to issue a statement on the occasion of
her anniversary of imprisonment on June 19 (which coincides
with the European Council meeting).
¶16. (SBU) Concerning Moldova, the Council adopted
negotiating guidelines for a new government with Moldova
which are aimed at taking relations beyond the current
partnership and association agreement.
.