C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000478 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 
08/12/2018 TAGS: PREL, MOPS, EAID, PINR, EUN, NATO, RS, GG, LG SUBJECT: 
TFGG01: MFA STATE SECRETARY UNUSUALLY BLUNT IN CRTICISM OF RUSSIA REF: 
RIGA 472 Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr., Reason: 
1.4(d) 

1. (C) Summary: In an unusually blunt briefing for NATO and EU 
Embassies, MFA State Secretary Penke on August 12 was exceptionally 
critical of Russia's actions in Georgia. He stated that Russia had 
"violated Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty," committed 
"aggression, including through its massive and disproportionate 
response." Commenting on Medvedev's reference to Georgia as the 
aggressor, Penke termed this "crazy." He said that NATO and EU member 
states needed to assess what kind of partner Russia is, since it used 
"nonsense" excuses to attack Georgia and the suggestion that Russia was 
attempting to force peace is "unacceptable." While praising efforts by 
the EU presidency and OSCE CiO to foster a solution, Penke lamented the 
inability of NATO to reach agreement on a tough statement, which 
revealed "important differences" on Georgia within the alliance. He also
bemoaned the NAC's failure to discuss the Georgian request for military
assistance. Penke added that "business as usual" with Russia was no 
longer possible and we need to develop strategies vis-a-vis Moscow that 
are based on "hard wording, strict decisions, and full implementation. 
Russia must understand that these actions are not without consequences 
and sanctions." Latvia is sending humanitarian assistance to Georgia 
valued at nearly 250K USD. End summary. 

2. (C) MFA State Secretary 
Normans Penke briefed NATO and EU Ambassadors the afternoon of August 12
on Georgia. Ambassador and A/DCM attended. Penke was blunt in his 
language and presentation throughout. His opening words were that 
"Russia has violated Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. 
Abkhazia and South Ossetia themselves belong to Georgia. What Russia has
done is aggression, including through its massive and disproportionate 
response (to alleged provocations)." Recalling the statement by Russian 
president Medvedev an hour or so before that offensive operations would 
cease because the "aggressor has been punished," Penke termed the 
Russian view of the conflict "crazy." He added that Russia's various 
justifications for its actions, including that it was forcing Georgia to
make peace, were "unacceptable." 

3. (C) Saying that Georgia had made 
several cease-fire offers of its own and had been willing to work with 
others on peace plans. Praising efforts by the French presidency of the 
EU and the OSCE CiO, Penke said that the lack of a commensurate Russian 
response forced us all, and NATO and the EU as organizations, to ask 
what kind of Russia could be. He called for a complete reevaluation of 
relations with Russia by both organizations and suggested that as first 
steps the EU should suspend further negotiations on visa facilitation or
on a new PCA. Saying that Russia would not heed "weak partners" he 
advocated for NATO and EU statements with "hard wording, strict 
decisions, and full implementation. Russia must understand that these 
actions are not without consequences and sanctions." 

4. (C) Penke's 
frustration at the inability of the NAC to adopt a tough statement at 
its August 12 meeting was evident. He said that the debate revealed 
"important differences" among allies on Georgia policy and he was 
especially concerned that NATO had not discussed Georgia's request for 
assistance and hoped that would be possible "at least on the margins" of
the August 13 GAERC. In response to a question, Penke said that NATO 
must move faster on MAP for Ukraine and he hoped that events in Georgia 
also spurred Ukraine to "finish its homework." 

5. (U) Penke said that 
the Latvian cabinet had approved a shipment of nearly USD 250 thousand 
worth of humanitarian assistance and much of it would be sent in the 
evening of August 12 with the plane carrying it Yerevan, bringing back a
load of Latvians and others looking to leave Georgia. He also said that
Latvia was looking on how to respond positively to a Georgian 
government request that Latvia extend the validity of visas for 
Georgians in Latvia who cannot safely return home. 

6. (C) Comment: A/DCM
has worked with Penke for over two years and been in a number of 
meetings with him. Today's brefing, especially for this large crowd, was
unusually emotional and blunt. In fact, Penke, a former Ambassador to 
Moscow, has a reputation within the GOL for being somewhat soft on 
Russia. You wouldn't have known it today. His passion seemed genuine and
his frustration with Russia, and the inability of NATO to respond 
forcefully, was deep. In stood in contrast to the more measured and 
traditionally diplomatic tones of FM Riekstins when we saw him earlier 
the same day. LARSON