US embassy cable - 05LJUBLJANA330

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000330 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MOPS, SI 
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA VIEWS ON MAY 23 GAERC 
 
REF: SECSTATE 90085 
 
 1.  Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel talking points to Peter 
Grk of the MFA's Office for European Integration and Ales 
Balut of the Western Balkans Department on May 17. 
Slovenia's position on ESDP has not changed since our last 
discussion and Grk expressed the GoS' sincere desire, as a 
small country with a small military, to avoid duplication of 
work by the EU and NATO.  Grk appreciated our points on Sudan 
but did not have anything specific to add to the 
conversation.  Pol/Econ Chief reiterated the U.S. position on 
the China Arms Embargo emphasizing that the May 23 meeting 
between the U.S. and EU would not be a negotiating session. 
Grk suggested that the meeting was a good sign and hoped that 
some mutually agreeable solution to the current disagreement 
could be found. 
 
2. As always, the GoS was interested in engaging on the 
Balkans.  Balut, of the Western Balkans department, welcomed 
the idea of a lessons learned session on the handover of SFOR 
duties to the EU.  When asked by pol/econ chief if, one year 
into its membership, Slovenia felt it had influence on EU 
thinking on the Balkans, the answer was decidedly 
affirmative.  Balut and Grk both suggested that older members 
of the EU respected Slovenia's experience and understanding 
of the region and were almost relieved to have the burden of 
this problem shifting towards a new member.  Balut added that 
the GoS would be very interested in sharing views on the 
future of OHR and reform of the Bosnian Police and Defense 
forces. 
HAAS 
 
 
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 2005LJUBLJ00330 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED 


 
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