Wikileaks - DCCXCII

114451 7/5/2007 15:26 07BUCHAREST779 Embassy Bucharest SECRET 07STATE92339 VZCZCXRO3862 OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHBM #0779 1861526 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 051526Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6947 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY S E C R E T BUCHAREST 000779

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/I LINNET AND NEA/ELA ALLEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017 TAGS: PREL, PTER, SY, IZ, RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: ON SEEKING REGIONAL SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ

REF: STATE 92339

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin for reasons 1.4(b ) and (d).

1. (S) Post delivered reftel demarche on July 3 to MFA Director for Middle East and Africa Affairs, Daniel Tanase. Tanase was receptive and eager to work with U.S. and other allies to approach Damascus directly. Tanase would like Romania to send a small delegation from Bucharest to Damascus in order to underscore the seriousness of Romania's interest. He said that the delegation would want to coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Damascus but would first like to hear Washington's reaction to this proposal. He said Romania would plan to send mid-level experts, and though they could easily ask their ambassador in Syria to deliver the message, a small delegation from Bucharest would demonstrate Romania's full engagement on this issue.

2. (C) Comment/RFI: GOR has been looking for a "hook" to raise its profile in Middle Eastern issues, especially with Syria. Other interests, some undoubtedly economic and well as political and historic (from Romania's NAM days) are factors. Embassy requests Department's guidance on response to MFA's proposal about sending a small delegation from Bucharest to Damascus. End comment/RFI. TAUBMAN