VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3264 2480049
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 292100Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2920-2921

UNCLAS STATE 093264 
 
C O R R E C T E D   COPY- CAPTION ADDED 
SIPDIS, SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EUN PREL PGOV GG
SUBJECT: APPROACHING THE EU REGARDING GEORGIA IN ADVANCE 
OF THE SEPTEMBER 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GYMNICH) 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4. 
 
 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary: EU Foreign Ministers will hold an 
informal "Gymnich" meeting in Avignon on September 5-6. 
We expect the agenda to include: Georgia and EU/Russia 
relations, the Israeli-Falestinian peace process, updating 
the 2003 EU Security Strategy, Transatlantic Relations, 
and, time permitting, Serbia and Afghanistan/Pakistan. 
This cable includes points concerning Georgia. A 
supplementary message will address the other topics. The 
EU is also preparing for the September 1 extraordinary 
European Council meeting on Georgia, in which EU leaders 
intend to discuss an EU role in a possible monitoring 
and/or peacekeeping operation, an assistance package to 
Georgia, and relations with Russia. Posts in EU member 
states are requested to approach host governments as soon 
as possible and at an appropriately senior level to convey 
U.S. views. Posts are requested to include the SIPDIS 
caption on their response cables. Points are to be 
delivered to EU member states only, as well as to the EU 
Council Secretariat and Commission. Other posts should 
not/not deliver these points. 
 
 
--------- 
BACKGROUND 
---------- 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) 
Ambassadors met August 26 to discuss Georgia and will meet 
again August 29. There appears to be a consensus building 
around deploying an EU civilian ESDP operation to 
complement the OSCE monitoring mission. Other options, 
including a more militarized mission, were also 
discussed. The PSC is also considering how to assess the 
viability of such a mission, and was animated by the view 
that whatever was done needed to be done quickly and with 
high visibility. We need to capitalize on this interest 
and strongly encourage the EU to deploy personnel to 
Georgia as soon as possible. 
 
¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Please deliver the following 
points to the appropriate MFA and/or other host government 
official(s) as soon as possible. 
 
-- We appreciate the strong EU statements concerning the 
situation in Georgia. 
 
-- Russia's actions in Georgia contravene numerous 
international commitments that it has made over the years, 
including UNSCR 1808 which was adopted with Russian 
support in April 2008; these actions are completely 
unacceptable. 
 
-- We understand that the EU is considering sending an 
ESDP mission, likely civilian, to Georgia. 
 
-- Such a mission could make a crucial contribution 
providing the international mechanism to end Russia's 
right to "additional security measures" outside South 
 
Ossetia under the Cease Fire agreement, to increasing 
military transparency and stability, and to deterring 
human rights violations in areas occupied by Russian 
forces. 
 
-- We agree with the view that sending additional monitors 
to Georgia quickly to complement the OSCE is an immediate 
priority. We would welcome an EU decision as early as 
possible to deploy an ESDP civilian mission. 
 
-- The United States anticipates announcing a significant 
reconstruction package for Georgia very soon. We believe 
doing so in conjunction with the EU would send a powerful 
message of international solidarity to the world. The 
European Council meeting on September 1 is an excellent 
opportunity for the EU to make such an announcement, 
recognizing many details would remain to be worked out. 
 
-- Russia's actions in Georgia have also sent a sharp 
message of assertiveness to our partners and friends in 
the region. We want to work with the EU to reassure these 
states of our commitment to their security, independence, 
sovereignty, prosperity and democratic values; that we 
will resist Russian attempts to restrict or undermine 
them; and that we will counter efforts to stifle energy 
competition. We encourage EU efforts to bolster these 
states' freedom of maneuver and strengthen their ties to 
European and global markets. 
 
-- At the same time, we welcome the EU conducting a 
serious review of its relationship with Russia as a means 
to make clear to Russia that its actions carry a cost. We 
are conducting a parallel effort, and believe that 
coordination between us on possible approaches would help 
send a message of unity and determination. 
RICE