DEADLINE FOR FOREIGN NGO RE-REGISTRATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 011689

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KDEM EAID RS
SUBJECT: DEADLINE FOR FOREIGN NGO RE-REGISTRATION

REF: MOSCOW 11637

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel A. Russell.
Reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Federal Registration Service officials
suggested October 18 that they expect all foreign NGOs that
have applied for re-registration to be approved as the
deadline for applications passed. According to the latest
FRS statistics, 91 NGOs have been re-registered, and 79
others have applications pending. Separately, NGOs that have
not been approved told us they will maintain a low profile
and wait for decisions on their applications, with some NGO
contacts saying they will suspend operations. Although there
may be some disruptions in programming, it appears that FRS
is offering reassurances to calm some of the anxiety. We
have sent suggested press guidance separately to the
Department. END SUMMARY.

A QUESTION OF TIME
--------------


2. (SBU) Anatoliy Ponchenko, the deputy head of the FRS
department responsible for re-registering NGOs, told
reporters October 18 that FRS has re-registered 91 foreign
NGOs, up from the 80 FRS reported on October 16. Ponchenko
said he expected the other 79 with applications under review
by the FRS to be approved as well. Some would be approved
quickly, and some slightly later, Ponchenko said, but this
was simply a matter of time. Ponchenko specifically listed
AmCham and the Carnegie Foundation as two NGOs that had been
re-registered. The FRS has also posted a list of approved
NGOs and those that have decisions pending on its website
(www.rosregistr.ru/docs/inko01.doc and
www.rosregistr.ru/docs/inko02.doc) although the lists seem to
be slightly out of date.


3. (SBU) Among the NGOs that we are tracking, USAID partners
ACDI/VOCA and Winrock International were re-registered on
October 17 and October 18, respectively. NDI told us that it
had received a request from the FRS for "cosmetic changes" in
its application and was optimistic it would be re-registered
as soon as next week but would halt its programs in the
interim. IRI has as yet heard nothing from FRS after
submitting its application on October 4.


4. (C) Many of our contacts told us that, if they were not
approved before the deadline passed on October 18, they would
maintain a low profile, suspend their programs, and wait for
the FRS decision. Despite additional statements from FRS
Director Movchan that NGOs that were not re-registered could
only conduct internal activities and should suspend external
ones (reftel),some NGO contacts told us they were still
unsure what exactly was and was not permissible. A few
others said they interpreted the law differently and asserted
they could continue with program activities, despite the FRS
statements to the contrary. A UN contact who works closely
with NGOs distributing aid in the North Caucasus told us that
he hoped that those who had not been re-registered would
continue their operations, and the UN would approach the MFA
on their behalf. Separately, Kjetil Helstad, deputy country
director at the Danish Rescue Council (DRC),the largest NGO
working in the North Caucasus, said it would suspend
operations through October 20 and then reassess whether to
resume them. (NOTE: DRC is being cautious because of some
recent press stories alleging some of its aid was being
diverted to Chechen rebels and past scrutiny by GOR security
services.)

COMMENT
--------------


5. (C) Ponchenko's comments appear to be a further signal
to reassure foreign NGOs, and FRS approvals seem to be on the
rise. Ponchenko offered nothing that would contradict
earlier statements that those not re-registered would have to
suspend programs, however, and there may be some disruptions.
We have sent suggested press guidance separately to the
Department.
BURNS