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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 BRUSSELS 001873 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD EUN
SUBJECT: READ-OUT OF U.S.-EU TASK FORCE MEETING, DECEMBER 8, 
BRUSSELS 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.S.-EU Task Force covered a range of top 
priority political, economic, and other bilateral issues during a 
December 8 meeting in Brussels.  The U.S. team was led by EUR/PDAS 
Marcie Ries and USEU Charge Christopher Murray, and included NSC 
Director for Europe Kristina Kvien and other Department and USEU 
attendees.  The EU team was led by the French Presidency, with 
Elisabeth Beton-Delegue, Director for the Americas at the French 
Foreign Ministry, Marek Grela, Americas Director for the General 
Secretariat of the Council, and Alan Seatter, North Americas 
Director for the European Commission (EC).  Representatives of the 
incoming Czech presidency also attended. 
¶2.  (SBU) On Kosovo, both sides focused on EULEX with broad 
agreement as to its significance.  All agreed on the scale of the 
challenge in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the need to improve 
governance, with the EU side wishing for more public backing for its 
engagement in Afghanistan.  The Georgia discussion focused on 
incidences of violence, modalities for EU assistance, and the need 
to keep pressure on Russia.  Discussion of Congo was minimal because 
of parallel GAERC discussions.  All agreed on the importance of 
ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, with the EC emphasizing 
the humanitarian difficulties in Gaza.  On Iran, the EU emphasized 
its approach of talking to Iran while maintaining sanctions.  The EU 
said it has "zero" influence on Burma, and we should engage India 
and China.  On economic issues, both sides expressed support for the 
Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC); discussed the importance of 
addressing, under the rubric of terrorist finance, the problem of 
charitable groups; and briefly touched on aid to industrial sectors, 
including the automobile industry.  The EU asked for close 
cooperation on climate issues if China and India were to be brought 
along.  The Task Force also addressed the Visa Waiver Program, with 
the EU expressing hope that all EU members would eventually be 
eligible; discussed the benefits of the Air Transport Agreement; 
exchanged concerns about the 100% scanning initiative to improve 
container security; and expressed hope that the three remaining EU 
member states would soon ratify the U.S.-EU Mutual Legal Assistance 
and Extradition Agreements. END SUMMARY. 
 
------ 
KOSOVO 
------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Marek Grela, Council Director for Transatlantic Relations, 
noting that EULEX would officially take to the field the following 
day under a UN umbrella, said that there were still some problems to 
be worked out with the UN regarding transfer of assets.  EULEX's 
approach, he said, would be to make practical decisions so as to 
avoid provocations and to make progress on the ground.  PDAS Ries 
reiterated that it was important that EULEX deploy throughout 
Kosovo, and welcomed U.S. participation in the mission, citing that 
61 Americans had already transitioned to EULEX, with 19 more to do 
so on December 9. 
-------------------- 
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN 
-------------------- 
¶4.  (SBU) Noting that Afghanistan is desperately impoverished after 
25 years of war, PDAS Ries asked that the EU think generously of 
Afghanistan when formulating its 2010-2013 aid package.  Ries said 
the U.S. appreciated the increase in the EUPOL contingent, adding 
that rule-of-law missions are vital in post-conflict countries.  She 
encouraged EUPOL deployment to extend to the district level. 
¶5.  (SBU) Elisabeth Beton-Delegue, the French Presidency chair and 
MFA Americas Director, said that one-half of EUPOL would deploy to 
the regional and provincial levels. (Note:  The other half would 
presumably be in Kabul; there was no mention of district-level 
deployment.)  Anything that could be done to improve governance and 
the ability of the GOA to provide basic services would create 
"positive evolution."  The solution to Afghanistan, she added, is 
not military, and she proposed identifying moderate Taliban who 
might constitute a legitimate political force. 
¶6.  (SBU) Alan Seatter, the Commission's RELEX Director for North 
America, said it was hard to win public support in Europe for the 
EU's investments in Afghanistan.  Therefore, the Commission's 
emphasis is on effectiveness rather than quantity, which can best be 
achieved in the justice and police sector, given the importance of 
governance.  The Commission would provide 15-25m Euros for the 2009 
elections, to be spent primarily on civic education and voter 
outreach programs.  EU election observation would also be funded; 
however, fielding observers would depend on the security situation. 
¶7. (SBU) There is much that can be done in Pakistan, and PDAS Ries 
challenged the U.S. and EU to "get it right."  Post-Mumbai, 
terrorist camps need to be shut down.  Looking ahead to the Friends 
of Pakistan experts' meeting in January, she said we hoped to have 
EU support for the proposed Frontier Trust Fund, and for a Border 
Minister to manage it.  Ries recalled A/S Boucher's recent visit to 
Brussels to promote the donors' conference, noting that the IMF 
identified a USD 4 billion funding shortfall. 
¶8. (SBU)Beton-Delegue said the EU was hopeful India could play a 
constructive role.  Seatter said that the European Commission has 
increased funding of rural development and education in the border 
provinces of Pakistan, which could carry over into the border region 
 
BRUSSELS 00001873  002 OF 006 
 
 
of Afghanistan, analogous to what the World Bank is doing.  The EC 
is also working in counter-terrorism (CT), supporting the EU'S CT 
envoy Gilles de Kerchove and improvements in judicial authority and 
media.  The Commission strongly backs the Friends of Pakistan. 
Seatter made the point that monitoring and accounting for funding 
was a preoccupation he shared with the U.S. 
 
-------------- 
GEORGIA/RUSSIA 
-------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) On Georgia, violent incidents and accountability were the 
major preoccupations.  Beton-Delegue said the EU was worried about 
the increase in incidents.  The European Monitoring Mission (EUMM) 
in Georgia, she continued, is encouraging the parties to reduce 
tension, avoid provocations, and increase stability; however, 
difficult communication with the Russians was a complicating factor. 
 She said she hoped, nonetheless, that the Geneva talks will provide 
for an agreed mechanism for dealing with, and reducing the number 
of, incidents.  The French presidency chair also alluded to a 
pending EU-Georgia MOU (note: likely on the provision of aid, with 
an EU-desired clause waiving the application of Georgia's 
newly-enacted legislation criminalizing aid to Abkhazia and South 
Ossetia in the case of EU humanitarian assistance).  Beton-Delegue 
said she hoped the U.S. would support the inquiry into the genesis 
of the conflict and Talia Vini, who is conducting it.  She said the 
EU was working toward a free trade agreement with Georgia.  She 
characterized the resumed Cooperation Agreement talks with Russia as 
the best way to promote Europe's own interests, adding that the 
talks provided a forum for reminding Russia of Georgia's territorial 
integrity.  Beton-Delegue said, too, that it was a forum to make 
points about Iran. 
¶10. (SBU) Alan Seatter put emphasis on the EU's efforts to ensure 
Georgia's proper use of the funds pledged at the successful donors' 
conference (held in October), a point Beton-Delegue previewed in her 
remarks.  Seatter expressed doubts about rule of law in Georgia and 
the "democratic nature" of the government.  The Commission was also 
concerned about the high level of defense expenditures in Georgia, 
he said.  Seatter said free trade would be prominent, certainly in 
the new Eastern Partnership Initiative, but also as a result of the 
extraordinary European Council meeting on Georgia of September 1. 
Georgia had to be coached so that it would be prepared for an FTA, 
however, and the EC would help.  In that vein, the Commission was 
looking at Georgia's "GSP-plus" request, Seatter said, and would 
respond by the end of the year. 
¶11. (SBU) PDAS Ries expressed concern about the increased number of 
violent incidents, as reported by the EUMM around Abkhazia.  She 
also noted the lack of humanitarian aid getting into Abkhazia and 
South Ossetia, and drew attention to the plight of IDPs in winter. 
In the context of Russia's failure to fulfill its cease-fire 
commitments, Ries said it was important to renew the mandate of OSCE 
monitors.  Underscoring the U.S. commitment to Georgia's recovery, 
Ries said USD 850m of our one billion-dollar pledge would be 
obligated this year.  She added that it continued to be critical to 
remind the Russians of the importance of fulfilling all their 
commitments. 
¶12. (SBU) Speaking for the Council, Marek Grela said that, despite 
Russia's lack of cooperation and its veto in the OSCE and UN, it was 
important to use Geneva and the Partnership and Cooperation 
Agreement (PCA) talks.  Building confidence in this way, he said, 
was the best way to control violent incidents.  He mentioned 
discussions with the UN SYG about the role of the EU in Abkhazia. 
Ries agreed that Geneva constituted an important venue for 
addressing the matter of increased incidents. 
 
-------- 
DR CONGO 
-------- 
 
¶13. (SBU) Congo being a significant subject of discussion among EU 
foreign ministers at the GAERC that same day, there was not much 
latitude for discussion at the Task Force. "We are not ambitious 
today," is how Marek Grela put it.  PDAS Ries said the U.S. 
appreciated EU, and especially French, cooperation at the Security 
Council to increase MONUC's troop level.  She added that the EU's 
envoy for the Great Lakes region, Roeland van de Geer, was dedicated 
to finding a diplomatic solution in North Kivu.  She mentioned A/S 
Jendayi Frazer's visits to the region, Tripartite Plus, and the UN 
Secretary General's envoy Olusegun Obasanjo as useful in that regard 
as well.  For her part, Beton-Delegue said the difficult situation 
in Congo would need continued U.S./EU collaboration, "even when 
African diplomacy takes over."  The Commission was silent on this 
issue. 
----------- 
Middle East 
----------- 
 
¶14. (SBU) The Presidency's Beton-Delegue opened the discussion by 
noting that the GAERC, meeting at the same time as the Task Force, 
would reaffirm the importance of the Middle East Peace Process.  She 
 
BRUSSELS 00001873  003 OF 006 
 
 
noted the EU does a lot to support the Palestinian Authority (PA), 
and believes it important the Quartet continue to support the 
process, including through weighing in on negotiations, supporting 
the PA on police, pressuring Israel to stop settlements, addressing 
the problems of violence and the closure of Gaza.  We need, she 
said, to support Abbas and the Egyptian efforts at Palestinian 
reconciliation, and we should not let time slip away, as delay would 
only help the extremists. 
 
¶15. (SBU) The Commission's Alan Seatter, took note of efforts to 
support PA President Abu Mazen and PM Salaam Fayed, but said the 
difficult situation in Gaza was undermining that support.  He noted 
that only 2% of the needed cooking gas and 8% of chlorine needed to 
purify water had been let in over ten days.  People were beginning 
to cook in mud ovens, and there was concern about the possibility of 
cholera and Hepatitis A outbreaks.  The EC was to pay salaries that 
day directly to teachers and doctors, but there was no cash.  This, 
he said, undermines the credibility of Salaam Fayed. 
 
¶16.  (SBU) PDAS Ries responded that we know the MEPP is a top 
priority, and reviewed some progress we have seen recently.  She 
noted the bipartisan support in the U.S. for the Annapolis process, 
and noted the request by the parties that the international 
community respect their efforts. 
 
¶17.  (SBU) Beton-Delegue noted our close proximity of views on 
Lebanon, and said the EU has pressed Syria on concrete progress in 
opening an embassy in Beirut, demarcating the borders, and 
addressing the issue of Lebanese detainees.  In the context of some 
progress, discussion on the Association Agreement with Syria would 
go forward.  She said the EU favored direct U.S. contact with Syria; 
and praised the indirect Israel-Syrian talks.  The EC's Seatter said 
that although the U.S. was wary of the EU's increased contacts with 
Syria on the Association Agreement, there were reformist elements, 
particularly on economic issues, whom the process would encourage. 
 
 
¶18. (SBU) PDAS Ries said it was important that, as the EU moved 
forward on economic issues, it keep Syria focused also on important 
political matters, including compliance with IAEA agreements, 
stopping support for radical Palestinians, interdicting foreign 
fighters going to Iraq, and improving relations with and stopping 
interference in Lebanon.  She noted that our allies in Lebanon are 
concerned that EU engagement with Syria signaled wavering support 
for an independent Lebanon.  In response to Ries' question about 
impressions in the EU about Syria based on recent discussions, the 
Council Secretariat's Marek Grela said there appeared to be some 
'space' for influencing reform, while Seatter said it was clear 
there is a moderate element that can be influenced.  He said the EC 
makes it clear there can be progress on the Association Agreement 
only if there is progress on political issues, but the response 
depends on the interlocutor. 
 
---- 
Iran 
---- 
 
¶19.  (SBU) On Iran, the Council's Grela said "there is no good 
news," noting the list of problems of enrichment, hostile rhetoric, 
and support for extremists.  He reiterated the EU approach of 
talking to Iran while imposing sanctions.  He noted that, with the 
growing economic crisis and drop in oil prices, Iran would feel the 
impact of sanctions more than before.  Beton-Delegue said the EU 
would continue to be ready to negotiate, while doing the necessary 
on sanctions.  Ries responded that, for the U.S., the emphasis 
remains the same, with a focus on multi-lateral diplomacy.  She 
expressed appreciation for the EU adopting regulations implementing 
UNSCR 1803, and asked the EU to adopt complementary measures.  She 
noted Iran was using evasion tactics to get around some sanctions. 
She urged that the EU keep up the pressure on Iran and give the 
sanctions time to work. 
 
----- 
Burma 
----- 
 
¶20.  (SBU) PDAS Ries stressed the importance of maintaining a united 
front on Burma.  The U.S. view is that there should only be a Ban Ki 
Moon visit if there is something positive from the regime.  She 
asked, as the EU restructured its target list of names and entities 
subject to sanctions, that it take care that the changes not be 
portrayed as a weakening or lessening of pressure.  Beton-Delegue 
admitted Burma was a "complicated" issue in the EU, and that it was 
difficult to reach consensus, especially on sanctions.  It was hard, 
furthermore, to convince China that it would be in its interest to 
promote change.  Alan Seatter stated bluntly that the EU had "zero 
influence" on Burma, arguing we need to mount an effort to convince 
India and China to look at Burma in different terms.  Seatter 
accepted Ries' offer to talk to OFAC about sanctions 
implementation. 
 
 
*********************** 
* Missing Section 004 * 
*********************** 
 
 
BRUSSELS 00001873  005 OF 006 
 
 
¶26.  (SBU) PDAS Ries suggested a comprehensive review of our 
bilateral energy cooperation to prepare for the 2009 summit.  She 
asked about EU interest in a special statement on energy and climate 
as an outcome of the Summit, but noted that this would need to be 
decided by the new administration.  Alan Seatter noted that there 
was a very good, ambitious statement on energy at the last U.S/EU 
summit, and suggested energy efficiency in buildings affords a good 
scope for work.  On bio-fuels, he proposed picking two or three 
flagship projects on which to work together.  He expressed 
appreciation for U.S. cooperation in the Caspian Sea area.  All 
sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation on energy 
security. 
 
------------------- 
Visa Waiver Program 
------------------- 
 
¶27. (SBU) PDAS Ries commended the efforts of the newly admitted 
countries, noting they contributed also to raising security 
standards for travel.  She said the ESTA program is not a visa, that 
judgments are based on the traveler and not the country, and will 
further enhance the security and convenience of travelers.  She 
concluded that the procedure amounted to filling out an I94 form, 
only in advance of travel. 
 
¶28. (SBU) (SBU) Beton-Delegue responded that the EU's goal was free 
and secure travel for all EU citizens, and she viewed it as positive 
that six EU member states were admitted to the VWP on November 17. 
Seatter said the Commission was extremely gratified at President 
Bush's personal efforts toward the ultimate goal.  Noting the 
bilateral and multilateral approaches, Seatter said the EC was 
aiming for a "light agreement" via the latter on behalf of all EU 
citizens. 
 
----------------------- 
Air Transport Agreement 
----------------------- 
 
¶29.  (SBU)The Commission's Alan Seatter opened by praising the Air 
Transport Agreements as a good way to increase cooperation, noting 
they have brought an increase in 35 million passengers, USD 25 
billion in revenues, and thousands more jobs.  There has been an 8% 
increase in transatlantic traffic since the first stage took effect. 
 He noted the EC held a forum with American unions on the agreement 
in recent days, showing it was not a threat to American labor 
rights.  The EC will hold another forum in Brussels to build on that 
effort.  The EC will give a push on the issue at the next Summit so 
there is a good start to the second phase. 
 
¶30.  (SBU) PDAS Ries noted that, regarding the EU's emission trading 
scheme, the U.S. protests the inclusion of third-country operators 
without the consent of their governments.  It is, she said, a global 
matter, that needs a global solution.  Seatter responded that air 
traffic was one of the fastest growing areas of greenhouse gases, 
and that we need to address the problem.  The EU tried to deal with 
the issue within the UN but got nowhere, so it "tried to get its 
partners attention by taking a different route."  The EC, he said, 
is happy to work with ICAO on the matter. 
 
------------ 
Secure Trade 
------------ 
 
¶31.  (SBU) PDAS Ries expressed understanding that the EU does not 
like the 100% scanning initiatives, but urged that the EU work with 
us to make the program a success because of our overlapping interest 
in improved container security.  Beton-Delegue said the EU agrees to 
cooperate, but fears a U.S. unilateral decision to go forward on 
100% scanning.  Seatter added that the EU has a problem with the 
legislation because they believe it is ineffective and that there 
are better ways to address the problem.  The EU is negotiating with 
Switzerland and Norway to make sure WCO controls are in place for 
all of Europe; and are also working with its Eastern neighbors on 
the issue.  The EU believes a risk-based approach is better, and 
hopes it can get there next year. 
 
------------------------------ 
JHA-MLA Extradition Agreements 
And HLCG 
------------------------------- 
¶32. (SBU) The Task Force touched briefly on Justice and Home Affairs 
(JHA) issues, with PDAS Ries noting that the Senate has approved and 
President Bush would soon sign the instruments of ratification for 
the U.S.-EU Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Agreements.  She 
urged the EU to press the remaining EU countries to finish their 
national ratification procedures so the agreements could take 
effect.  Seatter said the EC was "doing all it can" to press the 
three remaining states. 
 
¶33.  (SBU) PDAS Ries asked that the upcoming JHA Ministerial 
 
BRUSSELS 00001873  006 OF 006 
 
 
(December 12) give added momentum to the High Level Contact Group 
(HLCG) as it seeks common principles in sharing personal data for 
law enforcement purposes.  Alan Seatter echoed the wish for a strong 
endorsement of the HLCG at the JHA Ministerial. 
 
¶34.  (U) This message has not been cleared by PDAS Ries. 
 
Murray