VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHVEN #0175/01 1911638
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091638Z JUL 08
FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5816
INFO RUCNCFE/CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1679
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-DDPMA-IN/CAC/DDPMA-E// PRIORITY
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XONP// PRIORITY
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEASWA/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC//OSAE PRIORITY
UNCLAS USOSCE 000175
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR DOWLEY
JCS FOR J5 (NORWOOD)
OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS
SUBJECT: JCG: JULY 8 JCG, ULYANOV SAYS RUSSIA CAN WORK FROM
THE PARALLEL ACTIONS PACKAGE, WANTS TO DISCUSS IN VIENNA
Sensitive but Unclassified; Please protect accordingly. Not
for Internet.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. At the July 8 JCG meeting, Germany
(Schweizer) supported by France, UK, Portugal, Turkey and the
U.S., raised the issue of Russia refusing Germany's request
to conduct a CFE inspection. Germany stated its concern that
the Russian Federation was not implementing the CFE Treaty
and its non-compliance would lead to full erosion of the
Treaty. The supporting States Parties called for Russia to
end its suspension of CFE Treaty implementation and accept
the parallel actions package. France (Simonet) used some
strong language by "deploring" the actions of the Russian
Federation. In response to the statements against Russia,
JCG Arms Control Rep Ulyanov stated that the prospect for a
mutually acceptable solution was remote and urged the
discussions of parts of the parallel actions package be held
in Vienna. Ulyanov also claimed that Russia did not seek to
"disaggregate" the package. Spain read a summary of Session
II of the Annual Security Review Conference. The U.S.
offered its condolences to Russia for the loss of one of it
long-time Vienna delegates, Alexander Ivanov. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Under the Chairmanship of Luxembourg (Pilot),
Germany, under instructions from Berlin, delivered a lengthy
intervention on Russia's refusal of a German CFE inspection
that was to have started on July 8 in Russia. Germany noted
that it would continue to fully implement the Treaty, however
the longer Russia continues with its current suspension, the
more the likelihood that it would lead to full erosion of the
Treaty. The Allies have given specific proposals in the
parallel actions plan as written in the March 28 NAC
Statement. In concluding, Germany noted that "all" were
waiting for a Russian response.
3. (SBU) Some Allies spoke in support of the German
statement:
-- France (Simonet), associated itself with the German
statement and said it "deplores the actions of the Russian
Federation." France continued by calling for the Russian
Federation to comply with its Treaty obligations.
-- U.S. (Neighbour) stated that the U.S. fully supported the
German statement and Germany bringing this issue to the
attention of the JCG. Neighbour also noted that this was the
eleventh inspection Russia had refused, as well as other acts
of non-compliance such as their failure to provide the Annual
Exchange of Information, quarterly reports on Kushchevskaya,
and other notifications in accordance with the Protocol on
Notification and Exchange of Information for force changes.
The U.S. too called for Russia's renewed cooperation, full
compliance with its Treaty obligations and for Russia to
engage seriously on the parallel actions package.
-- UK, Portugal and Turkey supported or aligned themselves
with the German statement and urged Russia to engage in the
parallel actions package.
4. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) responded by lamenting that
unfortunately the prospects for a mutually acceptable
solution were remote. Russia has called for serious dialogue
and it had fallen on deaf ears. A decisive role could be
taken by the JCG as depicted in Article XVI of the CFE
Treaty, but was blocked as well as the dialogue in the
NATO-Russian Council Arms Control Experts group. With all
the other potential forums for discussion closed, only the
U.S.-Russia bilateral venue remained. Russia continued to
criticize the United States for meeting it only twice so far
in 2008. Considering the number if issues at hand, even if a
breakthrough were possible the time required to negotiate a
final package would be tremendous. Ulyanov proposed that
regular working meetings in Vienna supplement the U.S.-Russia
bilateral discussions.
-- The U.S. (Neighbour) explained the U.S. position regarding
no negotiations on the package in Vienna and noted that it
was in fact the Russian Federation that has come to bilateral
meetings unprepared to address the substantive issues.
-- Ulyanov countered, saying that he could not agree with the
U.S.'s assessment and that the Russian Federation has always
been ready to have serious dialogue and that Russia had
fulfilled all of its promises and proposals submitted on
Moldova and Georgia in January 2008. He noted that the
picture "drawn" by the U.S. was not realistic. Ulyanov
summarized his statement by saying that the Russian
Federation did not plan on dissecting the parallel actions
plan but work on it as a whole package. He again insisted
that the U.S. and its Allies must talk here in Vienna.
-- The U.S. questioned Russia's intent and stated that if
Russia was serious it would agree to the Parallel actions
package in New York in July at the next bilateral meeting
between the U.S. and Russia. Russia should not seek to
"cherry-pick" parts of the package for discussion in Vienna.
-- Russia noted that this was a useful exchange and that
Russia did not want to look at the parallel actions package
piecemeal, but as a whole. For this it will take time and
time was available in Vienna. Ulyanov claimed Russia did not
seek to "disaggregate" the package.
-- Neighbour closed the discussion by noting Ulyanov's
comment that Russia would not seek to to "disaggregate" the
parallel actions package and calling for Russia to formally
agree to the package which would allow the States Parties to
move forward.
5. (SBU) Spain (Mor Sola) read a summary Spain had written
concerning Session II of the Annual Security Review
Conference (JCG.DEL/21/08). There was no discussion
generated.
6. (SBU) The U.S. passed its condolences to Russia for the
loss of one of it long-time Vienna delegates, Alexander
Ivanov, who passed away within a month of his diagnosed
cancer. A moment of silence was observed.
7. (U) The next JCG will be July 15 and Chaired by Moldova.
FINLEY