OSCE: DEMARCHE ON RUSSIAN DRAFT OSCE CHARTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002419 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2017 TAGS: PREL OSCE KTIA PGOV RS SUBJECT: OSCE: DEMARCHE ON RUSSIAN DRAFT OSCE CHARTER REF: STATE 69698 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) We met May 23 with MFA OSCE Section Chief Valeriy Maslin to discuss the Russian draft OSCE "Charter." Drawing from reftel points, we stressed that while the U.S. favored a Convention on the OSCE's Legal Personality, the negotiating mandate for the Convention was limited and did not extend to a broader revision of the OSCE acquis. We underlined U.S. opposition to consideration of the Russian draft Charter that was circulated in Vienna on May 17. ¶2. (C) Maslin reiterated Russia's position that a Charter was needed to ensure that the OSCE was a "full fledged" organization able to work effectively, taking into account the interests of all Participating States. In Russia's view, a Charter could codify decisions reaching back to the Helsinki Agreement, define the responsibilities of OSCE decisionmaking bodies in a transparent fashion, and allow for greater effectiveness. Maslin would not discuss the terms of the 2006 Ministerial decision launching discussions of the OSCE's legal status and privileges and immunities; instead, he argued that the Convention and a Charter should be seen as a "package." In the MFA's view, the Convention was a limited, technical document that should be "subordinated" to the Charter. ¶3. (C) Maslin asked whether the U.S. had specific objections to the Russian draft. We noted that the U.S. was not planning to engage on the Russian draft, but drawing from reftel, noted that the U.S. had a number of objections to the text. Maslin expressed an interest in addressing specific U.S. concerns. BURNS