VZCZCXRO0810
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #9094/01 0282310
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 282304Z JAN 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY 1391
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 3226
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 6976
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 7187

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 009094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2020 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EUN CVIS MD
SUBJECT: SECRETARY CLINTON'S JANUARY 22, 2010 MEETING WITH 
MOLDOVAN PRIME MINISTER VLADIMIR FILAT 
 
Classified By: EUR Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel A. 
Russell, Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (U)  January 22, 2010; 12:00-12:30; the Secretary's 
Office. 
 
¶2.  (U)  Participants: 
U.S. 
Secretary Clinton 
Ambassador to Moldova Asif J. Chaudhry 
EUR Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel A. Russell 
Ian Kelly, PA 
Zia S. Syed, S Staff 
Bernadette Roberts, EUR/UMB (Notetaker) 
 
Moldova 
Prime Minister Vladimir Filat 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European 
Integration Iurie Leanca 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu 
Lazar 
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Valeriu 
Cosarciuc 
Charge d-Affaires Andrei Galbur 
PM advisor Stela Mocan 
Counselor Tudor Ulianovschi (Notetaker) 
 
¶3.  (C) Summary: The Secretary and Moldovan Prime Minister 
Filat discussed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) 
compact, Transnistria, economic reforms, Moldova's EU 
aspirations, and visa reciprocity during a 30-minute 
meeting on January 22 in Washington.  During the meeting, 
which preceded the signing of a $262 million MCC compact 
for agriculture and infrastructure projects, the Secretary 
reiterated U.S. support for the government of Moldova's 
reform efforts and pledged continued U.S. government 
assistance to aid Moldova in strengthening democracy and 
economic stability.  End Summary. 
 
Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact 
---------------------------------------- 
¶4.  (C) The Secretary opened the meeting by describing the 
MCC signing as historic and commending the new democratic 
government for its reform efforts.  Moldova had earned the 
Compact, she said, although she cautioned that trafficking 
of persons still needs work, and a failure to address this 
issue could undermine implementation.  The Secretary said 
the Compact will deliver a strong message about the U.S. 
desire for increased bilateral cooperation, adding that 
the U.S. wanted the EU to be more actively involved in 
helping Moldova as well. 
 
¶5.  (C) Filat thanked the Secretary for the United States' 
longstanding support, and he stressed that continued 
support will help the new government build a state 
grounded in rule of law that will ensure rights and 
liberties for all its citizens.  He described the MCC 
signing as a tool to help advance these objectives.  Filat 
assured the Secretary that the new government is focused 
on a comprehensive approach to reform, but that the process 
will take time and have significant political costs.  To 
maintain popular support, his government needs to 
articulate a clear message and deliver concrete 
improvements. 
 
Security and the Economy 
------------------------ 
¶6.  (C) Filat raised the Transnistrian conflict and the 
'illegal' presence of Russian troops in Moldova.  He 
emphasized that U.S involvement in the 5+2 talks is 
critical to reaching a settlement, without which Moldova 
cannot develop. The Secretary reiterated support for the 
reintegration of Moldova and our commitment to the 5+2 
process as the only negotiating forum for resolution of 
the conflict.  The U.S. will continue to work through the 
OSCE to revitalize the 5+2 effort, and she added it was 
time for the Russian troops and munitions to leave 
Moldova.  U.S. representative to the 5+2 process, Dan 
Russell, reviewed the state of play, agreed with Filat 
that this will be a long process, and praised the Moldovan 
 
STATE 00009094  002 OF 002 
 
 
government for pursuing confidence building measures 
directly with the defacto Transnistrian authorities. 
 
¶7.  (C) The Secretary expressed understanding for the 
difficult economic situation inherited by Filat's 
government, and urged cooperation with the IMF.  Filat, 
who had met with IMF Managing Director Strauss-Kahn 
earlier in the day, expected a favorable IMF Board vote on 
an agreement with Moldova by January 29.  His government 
has the vision, capacity and will to implement reforms, 
Filat said, but it lacks resources to cover costs.  He 
outlined plans to liberalize the economy and attract 
investment and welcomed any advice and expertise that the 
U.S. could provide.  The Secretary agreed that new 
business start-ups, for example, could produce quick 
results visible to the public; she asked her staff to look 
into technical assistance on business development for 
Moldova. 
 
Relations with the EU and Visa Reciprocity 
------------------------------------------ 
¶8.  (C) Filat asked that the Secretary speak with EU 
members about support for a closer relationship with 
Moldova, explaining that his small country's challenges 
must be viewed in the broader context of long-term 
European prosperity and security, including the 
implications for Europe and the U.S. of the continuing 
Russian military presence in Transnistria.  The Secretary 
reacted positively and offered to raise the issue with 
Baroness Ashton. 
 
¶9.  (C) The Secretary expressed satisfaction with the 
exchange of diplomatic notes earlier in the day to 
formalize greater visa flexibility for many students and 
workers.  She hoped for more forward movement in this area 
in the future and welcomed the prospect of more Moldovan 
students coming to the U.S. 
CLINTON