Wikileaks - CLXI

30847 4/15/2005 11:32 05BUCHAREST938 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL 05STATE66823 This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000938

SIPDIS

STATE DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - WILLIAM SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2015 TAGS: MOPS, MARR, PREL, PARM, TU, RS, GG, IP, RO, NATO, RU SUBJECT: ROMANIA SATISFIED WITH BLACKSEAFOR OUTCOME

REF: STATE 66823

Classified By: POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF ROBERT GILCHRIST FOR REASONS 1. 4 B AND D

1. (C) Summary. Romania is satisfied with the results of the recent BLACKSEAFOR meeting, which includes an agreement allowing Black Sea states to work with non-BLACKSEAFOR states and organizations in the region, and activates the BLACKSEAFOR mission control structure for a period of one year, although does not extend planned operations. End Summary.

2. (C) PolOffs met with NATO Division Director Mirela Maghiar to gain insight into the BLACKSEAFOR meeting held in Kiev on 31 March, which produced a series of agreements that Romania found overall satisfactory. Russia initially stressed that Black Sea states had sufficient capabilities to address the needs of the region, but following lengthy multilateral discussions and notably pressure from Turkey, Russia reversed its position and agreed with the majority present to permit the involvement of non-Black Sea states and organizations to support democracy, reform and stabilization efforts in the region. GOR stressed that it supports a &NATO identity8 in the Black Sea and is cautious about Russian support for the Black Sea Harmony initiative, which GOR sees as an attempt to duplicate existing regional structures.

3. (C) The governments present agreed to activate the command structure of BLACKSEAFOR for one year, although the GOR official stated that additional Black Sea operations would not occur during this period, apart from the two official BLACKSEAFOR operations that are currently held annually. GOR notes that Romania will continue to oppose permanent command and control structures within BLACKSEAFOR, but may be willing to make some concessions in the future to advance the initiative.

4. (C) Comment. MFA officials also stressed that the meeting produced a preliminary agreement to exchange information among BLACKSEAFOR states, but GOR will seek to ensure that information is clearly defined so as to exclude intelligence sharing. End Comment. DELARE