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PP RUEHDBU RUEHSL
DE RUEHNO #0581/01 3441019
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P 101019Z DEC 09
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3727
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFISS/USNMR SHAPE BE
RUEHNO/USDELMC BRUSSELS BE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
10.12.2009 NATO-RUSSIA: RUSSIA "BRIEFS" NRC ON MILITARY EXERCISES
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000581
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS NATO RS
REF: USNATO 546
Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Summary: Russia harshly criticized NATO and individual Allies during a NATO-Russia Council meeting on the Russian
military exercises Zapad and Ladoga, while managing to avoid giving any details on the exercises themselves. The Russian
Ambassador to NATO did not discuss the provocative scenario for the exercises and criticized NATO for holding its own
exercises in the former Soviet space. He complained that the response to the Russian exercises by some Allies smacked of
Cold War rhetoric. Allies asked that Russia use "common sense" when planning its exercises and took exception to the
Russian Ambassadors tone, prompting an even harsher Russian rebuke. The NATO Secretary General asked the Russian
Ambassador to convey to Moscow Allied concern over the exercises, the size and nature of which were contrary to the
spirit of NATO-Russia cooperation. End summary.
Russias "Brief" ----------------
2. (C) Russian Ambassador to NATO Dmitri Rogozin briefed the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) on November 25 (at Allied
request) on the recent Russian-Belarussian military exercises Zapad and Ladoga (reftel). He provided no substantive
information on the exercises, criticizing instead those Allies that had raised concerns about Russian intentions.
Without explaining the scenario for the exercises, Rogozin claimed they were defensive in nature and did not include the
simulated use of nuclear weapons. He argued that Russia had been transparent by inviting international observers
although it was not legally required to do so. NATO countries were involved in many more exercises than Russia, he said,
including exercises held in the "former Soviet space" that used an enemy clearly modeled on Russia. He claimed that in
2010, Ukraine would hold eight exercises involving more than 7,000 troops each, and that exercises would continue in
Georgia, which Rogozin called "a favorite baby of some NATO countries."
3. (C) Rogozin made much of a recent statement by the Polish Foreign Minister that while Poland did not fear Russia,
NATO still had plans to defend itself against a Russian threat. Rogozin asked for a briefing on this plan, and commented
that reaction to the Russian exercises had the "smell of the Cold War."
Allies React ------------
4. (C) The Polish PermRep said it was troubling that Russia refused to discuss Zapad and Ladoga in an open manner, even
after NRC members had asked it to do so. He noted that NATO used artificial scenarios in its exercises, whereas Russia
seemed set on making its exercises politically provocative. Lithuania said that it did not feel any kind of threat from
Russia, but was disappointed that Russia chose to conduct its largest post-Soviet exercise along the Lithuanian border.
Estonia asked that Russia simply use "common sense" when planning its exercises.
Rogozin Over-Reacts -------------------
5. (C) Rogozin responded to the Allies by complaining that the entire discussion was "insanity" and blamed the media in
Allied countries for incendiary reports on the Russian exercises. If NATO wanted to discuss the demilitarization of
Russias western frontiers, this would require the same of the Baltic countries. However, if a country had armed forces,
they needed to be on "combat alert," thus the need for the Russian exercises. Rogozin directed questions to specific
Allies, such as asking Lithuania what it had done in a "positive, constructive way" to further bilateral ties with
Russia. He then launched into a monologue on the need to create conditions that would foster partnership and cooperation
and abandon "far fetched ideas and rhetoric."
6. (C) Rogozins harsh tone prompted more Allied responses. Romania suggested that Rogozin did not understand the Polish
FMs comments and other Allied concerns, while Lithuania implored Rogozin to "hear what we say and take it into account."
7. (C) NATO Secretary General Rasmussen concluded by asking that Russia understand why NRC members wanted to raise the
recent exercises in this forum. The SecGen requested that Rogozin convey to Moscow that the scale and scenario of the
exercises did not correspond to the spirit of the NRC, and he hoped that similar exercises would not be held in 2010.
Rogozin came back a final time to assert that if he had thought the exercises would have had a "detrimental impact" on
NATO-Russia relations, he would have avoided "briefing" the NRC.
Comment -------
8. (C) The Alliance has had several discussions on the Zapad and Ladoga exercises, stemming from some Allies deep
concern over Russian intentions and methodology. Rogozins behavior and unwillingness to listen to Allied concerns did
little to assuage and much to further frustrate Allies just as improving NATO-Russia relations was in the spotlight. The
latest episode feeds the belief of several Allies that the real signal of Russias intention to engage seriously with
NATO would be to send a more politically astute Ambassador.
DAALDER