Wikileaks - MCCCLXXXVIII

213323 6/22/2009 13:52 09BUCHAREST425 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL VZCZCXRO5802 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHTRO DE RUEHBM #0425 1731352 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221352Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9647 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0035 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0178 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000425

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STATE FUR EUR/CE ASCHIEBE AND EEB/ESC LRECHT BRUSSELS FOR LSNYDER TREASURY FOR JSMITH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2019 TAGS: ETTC, EFIN, PREL, RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: BECOMING MORE 'LIKE MINDED' ON 1267?

REF: SNYDER-BERG EMAIL OF 6/9/2009 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Jeri Guthrie-Corn for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d)

1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 5.

2. (C) In response to questions raised by USEU in ref emails, EconOff met with Elena Paris, Head of Unit at the Office for the Implementation of International Sanctions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), to discuss current Romanian views on international sanctions, especially the 1267 sanctions process. Paris intimated that Romania was moving in the same direction as a group of "like minded" countries, such as Sweden, to reform the UNSCR 1267 listing process. Underlining that Romania is fully committed to implementing international sanctions and the fight against terrorism, Paris expressed her view that the UN process could be improved to better balance peace and security with human rights.

3. (C) Stating that Romania was trying to navigate between EU court rulings and UN obligations, Paris said that Romania sees UN-initiated reform of the 1267 listing process as the best way to balance these competing needs. According to Paris, the 1267 Sanctions Committee has already shown an interest in bolstering human rights protections in new listings. She thought that consensus could be achieved on measures to improve notification to sanctioned individuals, while also establishing clear methods to contest and review listings. Doing so would better position the European Commission to defend listing decisions before EU courts. EconOff countered that the U.S. considers 1267 (and related) listings to be non-criminal administrative measures, not punishment; our general concern is that the addition of too many procedural hoops could jeopardize the usefulness of the 1267 process. Paris replied that she understood our concerns, but hoped that a consensus position on improving the 1267 process could be reached. She portrayed Romania as trying to navigate a middle course between recognizing the primacy of the UN Security Council and giving deference to European rule of law and human rights concerns. In terms of facilitating cooperation with the U.S., Paris added that Romania remains willing to assist in co-sponsoring 1267 demarche listings. She requested sufficient advance notice and a point of contact at USUN who would be able to coordinate with Romania's UN delegation in the future.

4. (SBU) U.S. policy with regard to Iran sanctions was also briefly discussed, with EconOff explaining that while perhaps the U.S. tone had changed, the underlying policy had not.

5. (C) Comment and Guidance Request. Paris's views may represent the MFA, but may not yet indicate a fully coordinated GOR position. At the same time, they demonstrate that Romania remains susceptible to lobbying by other EU countries, especially on non-core security issues. Paris's argument--however nuanced--that human rights should be elevated to the same level as security in determining sanctions policy represents a notable departure from our previous understanding of GOR policy. Post would appreciate the Department's guidance as to whether the U.S. is open to negotiating any reforms in the 1267 listing process. Post would also appreciate the Department's views on whether we should elevate and broaden the level of our engagement with the GOR on sanctions issues, emphasizing the core security issues at stake. End Comment and Guidance Request. GUTHRIE-CORN