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