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courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09BERLIN1332, GERMAN VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BERLIN1332 2009-10-23 16:02 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Berlin
VZCZCXRO8468
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHRL #1332/01 2961602
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 231602Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5566
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0868
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001332 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019 
TAGS: PREL EUN EAID PHUM ETRD AFDB PK GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC 
 
REF: 17OCT2009 EUR/ERA EMAIL 
 
Classified By: Political M/C George Glass for reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Germany is in broad agreement with U.S. 
points on Afghanistan/Pakistan, but officials expect no 
discussion on the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Pakistan during 
the October GAERC.  Afghanistan discussions will center 
around adopting the Council's Action Plan, which, Germany 
believes, could enter an implementation phase no later than 
March.  Bosnia will dominate Balkans discussions as officials 
try to digest the results of this week's negotiations with 
Bosnian leaders in Butmir.  Given the current state of play, 
Germany expects the GAERC to reach no decision on closing the 
OHR.  On Middle East issues, the GAERC will, at best, hold 
internal talks on how to support U.S.-led efforts in the 
future.  The EU3 will also likely give an update on the 
Geneva talks with Iran.  End summary. 
 
Balkans 
------- 
 
2. (C) Poloff discussed ref email points with MFA Deputy 
European Correspondent Angela Ganniger on October 22. 
Ganniger said the Bosnia crisis will dominate discussions on 
the Western Balkans but that officials will likely reach no 
decision on the issue of closing the OHR.  Instead, the goal 
will be to brief FMs on the second round of negotiations with 
Bosnian leaders in Butmir on October 20-21.  The GAERC might 
discuss potential scenarios for the way forward, but no 
substantial decisions will be possible since officials must 
first assess the results of the Butmir talks.  These results 
will, in turn, likely shape views regarding the push for OHR 
closure during the November Peace Implementation Council 
meeting. 
 
3. (C) On the issue of visa liberalization for Western Balkan 
countries, Ganniger said Germany is open-minded as long as 
countries meet the criteria -- including confidence in the 
passport-issuing process.  However, Germany will not support 
visa liberalization as a reward or as a tool to spur 
additional reforms.  She noted that some countries want to 
use the issue to send a political signal in support of Balkan 
integration with Europe but that Germany sees this as 
strictly a security question and will oppose liberalization 
if countries do not meet the requirements. 
 
Afghanistan/Pakistan 
-------------------- 
 
4. (C) Ganniger said the October GAERC will approve an 
Afghanistan/Pakistan action plan with goals and priorities 
aimed at spurring increased Afghan ownership in the conflict. 
 The focus will not be on humanitarian issues but rather 
long-term stability and capacity-building efforts to ensure 
Afghan self-government.  She emphasized that specific weight 
will be given to rule-of-law, border issues, and 
international cooperation.  If all goes well, Germany expects 
to see an implementation program developed by March. 
 
5. (C) On EUPOL staffing, Ganniger believed the GAERC might 
make a general call for contributions from members; however, 
she does not expect countries to come forward with any 
committments during the meeting.  For now, the discussion on 
reaching the 400-man target is being conducted at the working 
level -- including discussions on a recruitment strategy. 
 
6. (C) According to Ganniger, the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for 
Pakistan will not come up during the GAERC.  For its part, 
Germany has not reached internal agreement on whether to 
contribute.  In general, Ganniger said, the MFA has a 
positive view of this initiative, however, there has been no 
decision yet and the final call will fall to Germany's aid 
agency, BMZ. 
 
 
Middle East Peace 
----------------- 
 
7. (C) The GAERC goal is to do nothing to undermine USG 
efforts in the Middle East.  Ganniger said the EU is waiting 
to get cues from the U.S. and will hold only internal 
discussions on how to support our efforts.  Ganniger said 
there is no GAERC effort to develop alternatives to U.S.-led 
engagement and she expects no specific statements in the 
Council conclusions. 
 
General 
------- 
 
8. (C) Overall, Ganniger said the October GAERC will focus on 
climate change, the economic/financial crisis, and internal 
 
BERLIN 00001332  002 OF 002 
 
 
issues -- in advance of the quarterly European Council 
meeting that same week.  The GAERC will also discuss Moldova, 
where Poland and Romania have worries about the financial 
crisis.  The focus will be on ways that the EC can develop a 
macro-economic assistance plan that dovetails with IMF 
efforts.  However, Ganniger said, it is unlikely that any 
decision will be reached. 
Delawie