S E C R E T MOSCOW 011317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP UNSC KN RS
SUBJECT: MOSCOW'S REACTION TO THE DPRK NUCLEAR TEST

REF: A. STATE 168337


B. MOSCOW 11169

C. MOSCOW 11280

Classified By: DCM Daniel A. Russell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d/h).


1. (S) The Ambassador met twice with Deputy Foreign Minister
Alekseyev on October 9 to discuss North Korea's nuclear test
and next steps. Alekseyev said that Russia takes extremely
seriously the test and Russia agrees that strong measures are
warranted. Alekseyev handed over a statement (text below) on
the nuclear test that the Russian Government had just issued.
This is the approach that Putin looks forward to discussing
later today with the President. Alekseyev underlined that he
was calling in the North Korean Ambassador to express concern
and the Chinese Ambassador to coordinate positions.
Alekseyev underlined that Russia understood the need for
action in New York, but did not elaborate on what form
exactly that should take. Foreign Minister Lavrov planned to
review options with Secretary Rice in their telephone
conversation late today.


2. (SBU) Informal translation of October 9 statement by the
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Disregarding the unified will of the international community,
which is interested in the non-nuclear status of the Korean
peninsula, a "successful underground nuclear test" was
announced today in Pyongyang.

Russia has repeatedly expressed the opinion that such a step,
whatever its motivation, can only sharpen problems
already existing on the Korean peninsula, creating a threat
to peace, security, and stability in the region, and
undercutting the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

We demand that the DPRK immediately takes all steps to return
to the NNPT and the renewal of the Six-Party talks.
That will be our position at the UN Security Council.

The Russian MFA calls on all affected countries in the
current, complicated circumstances to demonstrate restraint.

We are conducting a careful analysis of the situation and
close consultations with many interested countries.
End informal translation
BURNS