Cablegate: Estonia: Response to October Gaerc Points

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R 231311Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0190
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS TALLINN 000315

SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA ELIZABETH KONICK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EN
SUBJECT: Estonia: Response to October GAERC Points

REF: OCTOBER 17 KONICK EMAIL

1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points to Kristina Meius, Director of
the MFA's European Division, on October 22. Meius provided the
following responses:

2. Afghanistan/Pakistan: Estonia believes the EU must play a more
visible role in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and make this region a
priority. Meius said the EU should double its EUPOL contribution
to 400 people, and should increase economic and political relations
with Pakistan.

3. Western Balkans: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia wants a
wider EU role after the Office of the High Representative closes,
and believes the EU should play a more active role to integrate BH
into Euro-Atlantic structures. In Albania, Estonia supports
drafting a screening report soon, and believes this assessment
should be purely technical in nature, rather than political.

4. Moldova: Estonia wants the EU to consider financial assistance
to Moldova, to help that country with stability and reform.
Estonia would also like to see talks on a new framework agreement
with Moldova. The GOE supports democratic development in Moldova
and approves of Moldova's decision to drop the visa requirement for
Romanian citizens.

5. MEPP: Estonia supports a two state solution achieved through
negotiations and following the Road Map. Meius said as part of
this process Israel must halt settlement expansion, and that Arab
states must play a constructive role. Estonia supports actions by
the Quartet and USG to further negotiations.

6. Iran: The GOE thought the recent high-level 3+3 meetings in
Geneva with Iran reached a number of important agreements, but that
Iran must now comply with them. Iran must also prove to the world
that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, and bring it in
line with IAEA and UN requirements. Estonia supports a diplomatic
solution, but supports further sanctions if there are is no
concrete progress by the end of the year. Sanctions would ideally
be imposed through the United Nations, but if that is not possible
Estonia supports EU sanctions.

7. Sri Lanka: Meius said the GAERC would discuss the humanitarian
and human rights situation in Sri Lanka, particularly in refugee
camps. Estonia believes the Sri Lankan government must provide
land for the return of IDPs, and must cooperate with UNHCR.
Estonia also would like to see the GOSL hold peace talks with the
Tamils, and wants the EU to work more closely with regional
partners, such as Japan and Australia.

8. Somalia: Estonia believes the international community should
support the transitional government, including helping to build
security forces loyal to this government. The GOE supports French
training for security forces.

9. Guinea: Estonia strongly condemns the September 28 crackdown on
demonstrators, and believes the African Union should play a key
role as the situation continues. The GOE supports the ECOWAS arms
embargo. Estonia also wants to see sanctions against junta figures
responsible for the crackdown, including an EU visa ban and
possible asset freezes.
DECKER

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