Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW2198
2007-05-11 14:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:  

DIPLOMATIC NOTE DELIVERED TO RUSSIAN FOREIGN

Tags:  KACT KTIA PARM RS 
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VZCZCXYZ0035
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #2198 1311457
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111457Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0161
UNCLAS MOSCOW 002198 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IRM/BPC/EA FOR GODWIN; EUR/PRA FOR NASH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KACT KTIA PARM RS
SUBJECT: DIPLOMATIC NOTE DELIVERED TO RUSSIAN FOREIGN
MINISTRY ON HOTLINE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT

REF: STATE 60234

UNCLAS MOSCOW 002198

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IRM/BPC/EA FOR GODWIN; EUR/PRA FOR NASH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KACT KTIA PARM RS
SUBJECT: DIPLOMATIC NOTE DELIVERED TO RUSSIAN FOREIGN
MINISTRY ON HOTLINE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT

REF: STATE 60234


1. We delivered reftel diplomatic note to Aleksandr Zakharov
in the Foreign Ministry's North America Department May 11.
We restated the US position and requested a formal response
from the GOR to our December 2006 diplomatic note. We will
also raise the issue separately with the Presidential
Communications Directorate (PCD).


2. Zakharov explained that the GOR would like to conclude
the draft agreement as quickly as possible, but recently
enacted legislation on the "Protection of Government Secrets"
required inclusion in all such bilateral agreements of a
provision outlining procedures for protection of classified
information. Zakharov said the Federal Security Service
(FSB),as the legislation's designated executive agency, was
insistent that the hotline agreement could not go forward
without the provision. The PCD did not think the provision
was necessary for implementation but was unable to bypass the
law or the FSB. He noted that both France and the UK had
signed similar agreements with Russia, which would make it
difficult to grant an exception to the US. Zakharov
promised, however, that he would raise the issue with legal
experts in the Ministry to determine whether a creative
solution could be found before the next round of bilateral
talks. He added that an agreement, once concluded, would
have to be ratified, which might take considerable time in
the current electoral environment.
BURNS