Cablegate: Russian Note On Sea Launch, Mfa Comments On Space Issues

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #3736 2121438
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 311438Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2510
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0120

UNCLAS MOSCOW 003736

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/SAT(HODGKINS), EUR/PRA(FRIEDT),
EUR/RUS(GREENSTEIN), ISN/CATR, L/NP

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA ECPS KSCA PREL PARM RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN NOTE ON SEA LAUNCH, MFA COMMENTS ON SPACE ISSUES

REFS: A. STATE 87399
B. STATE 77400

THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT
ACCORDINGLY.

1. (SBU) This message contains an action request. See paragraph 6.

2. (SBU) On July 27, EST Officers met Andrey Kruitskikh, Deputy
Director of the Department for Security and Disarmament Affairs
(DVBR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at his request. He
delivered a Diplomatic Note regarding the Sea Launch Technology
Safeguards Agreement (TSA) stating that GOR had taken all necessary
government steps to bring the TSA into force. Kruitskikh said the
USG should deliver a final note acknowledging the date of delivery
of the Russian note to bring the TSA into force.

3. (SBU) Kruitskikh also reported that the MFA is ready to move
forward with the extension of the Agreement for Cooperation in the
Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes (the "Civil Space
Agreement," Ref A) and the Agreement Concerning the Procedure for
the Customs Documentation and Duty-Free Entry of Goods Transported
within the Framework of U.S.-Russian Cooperation in the Exploration
and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes (the "Customs Agreement," Ref
B). He delivered two draft diplomatic notes that he said the GOR
was prepared to formalize if the USG accepts proposed minor wording
adjustments reflected in the notes.

4. (SBU) Referring to the Baikonur Technology Safeguards Agreement
(BTSA), Kruitskikh said that the GOR had completed its comparison of
the Russian and Kazakh texts, and is prepared to finalize all legal
matters. He reported that the GOR hopes the USG will move to
complete the process and suggested that the USG and the GOR approach
the GOK to urge quick action to bring the BTSA into force.

5. (SBU) Regarding the draft Framework Technology Safeguards
Agreement (FTSA), he said he looks forward to reviewing USG
revisions. Already wearing a fishing jacket, Kruitskikh noted that
he would be on vacation from August 20 until the end of September
and expressed the hope that the two sides could meet in Moscow upon
his return.

6. (SBU) Copies of the diplomatic notes and Embassy's informal
translation have been sent electronically to EUR/PRA and EUR/RUS.

7. (SBU) Post requests instructions to respond to Kruitskikh's
proposals on the draft diplomatic notes on the Civil Space Agreement
and the Customs Agreement.

RUSSELL

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