Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MOSCOW11584
2006-10-16 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:  

INFORMATION REGARDING UNSCR 1718: DEMARCHE

Tags:  PREL PARM MNUC KNNP UNSC KN RS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #1584 2891557
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 161557Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3972
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 011584 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP UNSC KN RS
SUBJECT: INFORMATION REGARDING UNSCR 1718: DEMARCHE
DELIVERED

REF: A. STATE 172816

B. MOSCOW 11488

Classified By: Amb. William J. Burns. For Reasons 1.4(b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 011584

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP UNSC KN RS
SUBJECT: INFORMATION REGARDING UNSCR 1718: DEMARCHE
DELIVERED

REF: A. STATE 172816

B. MOSCOW 11488

Classified By: Amb. William J. Burns. For Reasons 1.4(b/d).


1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche October 16 to MFA
First Asia Department Senior Counselor Arkadiy Lavrov, who
advises DFM Alekseyev on North Korean issues. (Note:
Alekseyev is currently in South Korea, accompanying PM
Fradkov and will not return to Moscow before October 23).
Pointing to Russia's vote in the Security Council, Arkadiy
Lavrov underlined Russian support for the resolution, but
said Russia sought more information on U.S policy after the
adoption of the resolution. Specifically:

--Russia and China wanted to have a better understanding of
the situation following the adoption of the resolution, but
the U.S. appeared to be in a hurry. Based on his 21 years of
service in Pyongyang, Arkadiy Lavrov stressed that the North
Koreans were already used to living under extremely difficult
economic conditions. Effective implementation of the
resolution would require a careful approach. China, which
supplies energy and most consumer goods to North Korea, would
play a major role in the success of sanctions.

--In Moscow's view, the U.S. was the key to bringing the
North back to the Six-Party talks. During DFM Alekseyev's
talks in Pyongyang over the weekend, the North showed a
softer stance and might be willing to return to the talks.
The bottom line for the North was direct negotiations with
the U.S. Russia urged the U.S. to be more flexible because
excessive pressure on North Korea could be counterproductive
and might create an even more dangerous situation on the
peninsula, including the possibility of the DPRK conducting a
second nuclear test.

--Russia remained unsure about the implementation of two
items in the resolution: financial sanctions and inspection
of North Korean ships.


2. (C) Arkadiy Lavrov underlined that the resolution would
be a source of great irritation to North Korea. He warned of
a sharp deterioration of the situation in the region and said
that the U.S. underestimated Kim's "decisiveness," which
could bring unexpected and unwelcome results.
BURNS