Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07BELGRADE1509 | 2007-11-06 17:53:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Belgrade |
VZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBW #1509/01 3101753 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061753Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1730 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE |
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001509 |
1. (U) This is a time sensitive action request. Please see para 8. 2. (U) In.2005, the United States and Serbia and Montenegro signed an agreement for the destruction of 5,000 MANPADSs by the end of 2007. As of October 31, 2007 Serbia had destroyed nearly 4,000 of those weapons and intended to have destroyed 4,280 by early December 2007. Ministry of Defense officials informed Post that the government of Serbia can not destroy the 720 weapons that would satisfy the terms of the agreement, because those missiles are in Montenegro, under the control of the government of Montenegro. The MOD also expressed interest in selling MANPADS on the open market where the government believes it could realize a better price than it would destroying the missiles. Post outlined to the MOD and the MFA the Department's concerns about Serbia's possible failure to fulfill the terms of the agreement. We request instructions and talking points to use in our follow up discussions at more senior levels. End Summary. The 2005 MANPADs Agreement -------------------------- 3. (SBU) In.2005, the United States and Serbia and Montenegro signed an agreement in which SaM agreed to destroy 5,000 MANPADSs by the end of 2007. In return, the United States would pay $2 million for the destruction of the missiles, $400/missile. The Government of Serbia contracted with a local company, Krusik Valjevo, to destroy the missiles. Beyond the scope of the agreement, the GOS is forgiving the Krusik Valjevo company's debt to the government. Partial Progress -------------------------- 4. (SBU) Prior to August 2007, Krusik Valjevo had received and destroyed from the MOD 2,640 missiles. In September 2007, Krusik Valjevo received an additional 1,640 missiles for destruction. On October 31, Krusik Valjevo General Manager Jovan Davidovic told emboffs that all those missiles in the company's possession would be destroyed by the first week of December. Thus, by the first week of December Krusik Valjevo will have destroyed 4,280 missiles, 720 missiles short of the agreed total. Falling Short of Agreed Goals -------------------------- 5. (SBU) The MOD advised DAO officers on September 27 and October 17 that the ministry was unable to send the remaining 720 missiles for destruction. Assistant Minister for Defense Pilipovic said that the 720 additional missiles were located in Montenegro, where they had been since the dissolution of the State Union in June 2006. Pilipovic said that the MOD had asked Montenegro in August 2006 to return those missiles for destruction, but that the GOM had not complied. Pilipovic also informed USDAO officers that the MOD was interested in selling MANPADs on the open arms market, where it could fetch a higher price. Embassy's Rebuttal -------------------------- 6. (SBU) In follow up meetings, emboffs argued to GOS officials that, as the successor state of the State Union, Serbia had the responsibility to uphold all agreements it signed as the State Union. USDAO officers advised Pilopovic of these obligations on October 17. DATT also informed Pilipovic that, since the 2005 agreement never specified precisely which missiles needed to be destroyed, Serbia could destroy any 720 missiles remaining in its stockpiles, estimated at 5,000. On October 30, poloff informed the MFA's North American Division Chief Srdjan Miljkovic of the possibility that Serbia might fail to meet its commitment, as outlined in the 2005 agreement. Miljkovic said he would look into the issue and coordinate within the MFA. Comment -------------------------- 7. (SBU) The 2005 signing of the MANPADS agreement was an important step in post's engagement with the Ministry of Defense. Today, military cooperation is one of the bright spots in the bilateral relationship. With Washington's guidance, post will work to encourage Serbia to successfully fulfill the terms of the agreement. Post wants to resolve this before Bilateral Defense Consultations are held in Washington on December 17/18. 8. (SBU) Post requests Washington's guidance on the language to use regarding Serbia's commitments to uphold its bilateral agreements as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. End Comment. MUNTER |