LUXEMBOURG TO CHAIR EXTRAORDINARY CFE TREATY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000222 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017 TAGS: KCFE NATO PARM PREL LU RU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG TO CHAIR EXTRAORDINARY CFE TREATY CONFERENCE REF: STATE 75293 Classified By: DCM Steven H. Kraft for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ officer discussed points contained reftel as well as the point-by-point response to Russian concerns with the Luxembourg MFA. The MFA was particularly appreciative of the information as Luxembourg was notified last week by the Netherlands that Luxembourg would be chairing this extraordinary conference. (NOTE - As it was explained to us, CFE working groups are chaired on a rotating basis and apparently it was Luxembourg's turn to chair meetings held under the political-military dimension. END NOTE) ¶2. (C) The MFA said that Luxembourg shared the U.S. concern over the Russian note verbale's suggestion of a moratorium in complying with the CFE treaty since it also believes the Treaty to be a cornerstone of European security. Further, Luxembourg also believes that Russia should live up to the terms of its Istanbul commitments. When queried regarding the GOL's thoughts as to possible Russian motives behind calling the conference and about the U.S. proposal of presenting a unified Allied position, the MFA did not have a response. WAGNER