Wikileaks - CDLIV

Saturday, 03 September, Year 3 d.Tr. | Author: Mircea Popescu

79136 9/20/2006 15:58 06BUCHAREST1479 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL 06STATE150032 VZCZCXRO4712 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBM #1479 2631558 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201558Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5217 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 001479

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR AND NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2016 TAGS: PREL, PTER, USUN, LE, SY, EU, RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: SYRIA DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 150032

Classified By: Political Chief Ted Tanoue. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

1. (C) DepPolChief delivered reftel demarche and non-paper to MFA Director for Middle East and Africa Laura Mircea. Mircea noted that there was no solution to the Lebanese situation without Syria, and that within the EU process, Romania supported engaging Syria in discussions on the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East peace process. Mircea described Syria as an adaptable country that could make a real contribution, if given sufficient incentive. Damascus has its problems, namely a military that is overly influential in political life and fearful of losing control. Mircea said this is no different under any dictatorship. DepPolChief countered that Syria still needs to fulfill key international obligations. Mircea took the point but noted Damascus has taken some positive steps, such as withdrawing its troops from Lebanon.

2. (C) Comment: Romania has good relations with Syria, which predate current events. Though Romania may not agree on all of the points raised in the demarche, they will also make sure they are not out of step with the EU regarding Syria. End Comment. Taubman

Category: Breaking News
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