Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUCHAREST628
2007-05-30 14:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

RFG: MFA SEEKS WASHINGTON VISIT TO DISCUSS CFE

Tags:  KCFE PREL PGOV PARM MARR MCAP RU RO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBM #0628 1501417
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301417Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6736
INFO RUCNCFE/CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000628 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: KCFE PREL PGOV PARM MARR MCAP RU RO
SUBJECT: RFG: MFA SEEKS WASHINGTON VISIT TO DISCUSS CFE

REF: A. USOSCE 230

B. ELLIS-LAURENDEAU 05/25 EMAIL

C. USNATO 340

D. USNATO 339

E. USNATO 337

Classified By: POLCONS Ted Tanoue for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000628

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: KCFE PREL PGOV PARM MARR MCAP RU RO
SUBJECT: RFG: MFA SEEKS WASHINGTON VISIT TO DISCUSS CFE

REF: A. USOSCE 230

B. ELLIS-LAURENDEAU 05/25 EMAIL

C. USNATO 340

D. USNATO 339

E. USNATO 337

Classified By: POLCONS Ted Tanoue for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) This is a request for guidance; see para 4.


2. (C) State Secretary for European Affairs Adrian Vierita
on May 29 told Charge that he would like to visit Washington
the week of June 4 to consult on the upcoming CFE
Extraordinary Conference. Vierita said the request for
consultations was prompted by the Russian Federation's Note
Verbale to The Netherlands as the depository of the CFE
Treaty. The MFA is increasingly concerned with Moscow's
challenges to the CFE Treaty, and the possible reactions by
some of the western European powers to Russia's concerns over
the cross-group stationing issue. Vierita sees face-to-face
bilateral discussions as a way to ensure harmony in
US-Romanian positions, especially since the Russian arguments
continue to raise the Forward Operating Facilities
(JTF-East),as a violation of the current CFE Treaty's
language on Group of States Members (Article 2).


3. (C) Vierita shared a list of specific questions/Talking
Points that he would like to answer prior to the GOR's
inter-agency coordination process that will set the policy
prior to the CFE extraordinary conference. Begin text:

-- The Russian notification is founded on Article XXI,
paragraph 2 (exceptional circumstances),and not on paragraph
4 (withdrawal). This indicates intention to consult and
negotiate.

Question: Do you envisage negotiations during the
extraordinary conference? If so, what elements of NATO,s
position could constitute the basis of negotiations in your
view?

-- Article XXI, Paragraph 2 provides for a conference to
consider exceptional circumstances, in particular (but not
only),the announcement of a state party leaving the initial
group of states. The current Russian notification indicates
the need for "formalizing changes in the composition of the
groups" as one of the reasons for convening the June
conference.

Question: Do you foresee taking this request into account?

-- Convening the extraordinary conference places the States
Parties, but even more so in Russia's case, in a rigid
situation. The domestic politics, particularly the electoral
processes, will play a critical role in determining the
posture of participating countries and, ultimately the
dialogue.

Question: What is your estimate with regards to the Russian
expectations? Is the withdrawal of the Russian Federation
from the CFE Treaty an option to be considered?

Question: What level of representation do you envisage for
the CFE Treaty extraordinary conference?


4. (C) Comment and Action Request: The MFA is looking at
the broader picture of Romania's flank (read Black Sea)
concerns, especially regarding the frozen conflicts (Moldova
and Georgia). They are also concerned with Russia's capacity
to exploit differences between the U.S. and some of the
western European states members on a range of issues beyond
CFE. Vierita could also use a U.S. visit as an opportunity
to preview and consult prior to the planned visit to
Washington by Foreign Minister Cioroianu (the week of June
11). Please advise on how Department would like to respond.
End comment/action request.
TAPLIN