Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 3891 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09LONDON89, UK VIEWS ON WAY FORWARD ON THE SEPARATIST REGIONS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09LONDON89.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09LONDON89 2009-01-13 15:03 2011-02-04 21:09 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy London
VZCZCXRO5757
PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLO #0089/01 0131532
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131532Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0898
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0359
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1102
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0843
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0664
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1204
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1338
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LONDON 000089 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019 
TAGS: PROV PREL MOPS GG RS EZ SW UN UK
SUBJECT: UK VIEWS ON WAY FORWARD ON THE SEPARATIST REGIONS 
OF GEORGIA 
 
REF: A. STATE 134559 
     B. PALMER-EUR 01/09/2009 EMAIL AND UK NONPAPER         (NOTAL)  Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Greg Berry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)  

1.  (C)  Summary.  The UK seeks a strategy in regard to the separatist regions of Georgia that will maintain EU consensus but will also have substance, Michael Davenport, the Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Russia, South Caucasus, and Central Asia Directorate, told the Political Minister Counselor January 9 during a discussion of U.S. strategies in regard to the separatist regions (Ref A).  HMG wants to "maintain the focus" so that the Sarkozy-Medvedev agreement can be "implemented in full" by "keeping the spotlight on Russia," Davenport stressed.  Although Davenport was cool to some specific points of the U.S. strategy, he agreed on the shared goal of finding a way "to not allow the status quo to become developed."  Davenport expressed support for steps that will encourage the separatist areas to have "connections with the outside world" rather than encourage them to rely on Russia alone.  He shared a copy of a British nonpaper, which the UK will table during Quad discussions January 12 in Berlin (provided to EUR per Ref B).  Davenport advised that the UK supports renewal and possible strengthening of the UNOMIG mandate in February.  He said the FCO has issued a stronger travel advisory in regard to the separatist regions.  End Summary.  

2.  (C)  The Political Minister Counselor met January 9 with Michael Davenport, Director of the FCO's Russia, South Caucasus, and Central Asia Directorate, to discuss the way forward on the separatist regions of Georgia, per Ref A. Davenport was cool regarding some points of the U.S. strategy; he stated that during January 12 Quad discussions in Berlin he would share a non-paper outlining HMG perspectives (Ref B).  Polmincouns underscored the importance of strengthening Georgian institutions and not permitting the status quo in regard to the separatists' "independence" to become an entrenched, accepted reality.  

Keeping the Spotlight on Russia -------------------------------  

3.  (C)  Davenport expressed support for these objectives, commenting that our shared goal is to find a way "to not allow the status quo to become developed," which he characterized as Russia's goal.  He stated that the UK seeks a way forward that will maintain EU consensus but will have some substance.  The UK has "looked at sanctions" on the separatist regions and has concluded that the most effective path is to take steps that will encourage the separatist areas to have "connections with the outside world" rather than encourage them to rely on Russia alone.  Davenport observed that he was mindful of the "not helpful precedents" of Belarus and Uzbekistan, stressing that the UK does not want to follow a path within the EU that would permit Russia to "exploit EU differences."  Davenport stated that the UK's goal is to "maintain the focus" so that the Sarkozy-Medvedev agreement will be "implemented in full" and the way to do that is "to keep the spotlight on Russia."  He predicted that the Czech and Swedish EU Presidencies would take a "robust line" with the Russians, which the UK welcomes.  

The Importance of UNOMIG ------------------------  

4. (C)  The UK "attaches a lot of importance" to UNOMIG renewal in February and UNOMIG is also valued by Abkhazia, as it provides the "only access to the outside world," Davenport said.  Davenport stated that one option might be to let UNOMIG continue its mission but to concede changes to its name (for example, to a "UN Mission in Abkhazia, Georgia") so long as there are no concessions on the issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Any change would be coupled with greater access for UNOMIG, particularly in South Ossetia. (Note: Ref B outlines British thinking on possible ways ahead regarding UNOMIG, the OSCE Mission, and the EU Mission.  End Note.)  

Other Steps -----------  

5.  (C)   Davenport noted that the FCO has issued a ramped-up  LONDON 00000089  002 OF 002   travel advisory, discouraging investment in and travel to the separatist regions -- and is encouraging other European countries to do the same.  The UK also continues to encourage the Georgians to "think constructively" about engagement within the Geneva process -- and the FCO is encouraged "so far" by signs from the Georgians, Davenport said.  He noted that Georgia's current NSC Secretary and former Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili would be in the UK the week of January 12 to discuss crisis management.  Davenport expressed appreciation for the excellent communication on the ground between the U.S. and UK Embassies in Georgia.  Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX
TUTTLE