Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW3088
2007-06-25 15:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:  

CFE: POINTS ON RUSSIAN DELAY IN CONDUCT OF US

Tags:  ASEC PARM PREL KCFE RS BU HU NATO OSCE 
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 251505Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1582
INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE
RUCNOSC/OSCE POST COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFISS/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 003088 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017
TAGS: ASEC PARM PREL KCFE RS BU HU NATO OSCE
SUBJECT: CFE: POINTS ON RUSSIAN DELAY IN CONDUCT OF US
INSPECTION DELIVERED

REF: STATE 87928

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel A. Russell. Reasons 1.4 (
B/D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 003088

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017
TAGS: ASEC PARM PREL KCFE RS BU HU NATO OSCE
SUBJECT: CFE: POINTS ON RUSSIAN DELAY IN CONDUCT OF US
INSPECTION DELIVERED

REF: STATE 87928

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel A. Russell. Reasons 1.4 (
B/D).


1. (C) On June 23, DCM raised concerns about the Russian
"force majeure" reply to the latest US request for a CFE
inspection with MFA Office of Disarmament and Security
Affairs Director Anatoliy Antonov. Drawing upon reftel
points, DCM reiterated US expectations that Russia would meet
its treaty obligations and that the serious dialogue begun at
the CFE Extraordinary Conference would continue within the
context of full treaty implementation. He asked for an
explanation of Russia's invocation of "force majeure" and for
more insight into Russia's intent.


2. (C) Antonov replied that no one should have been
surprised by Russia's reply. He had made clear both
privately and publicly at the CFE Extraordinary Conference
that, if no progress was made at the conference, Russia would
take measures consistent with its national security
interests. Moreover, Russia has cited "force majeure" in
response to the two most recent CFE inspection requests from
Bulgaria and Hungary. When pressed about the rationale
behind "force majeure" and its exact application, Antonov
stated simply that he had nothing more to add. He did
clarify that the intent was "something more" than a delay of
the requested inspection by a few hours or days. Regarding a
unilateral suspension of Russia's CFE Treaty obligations,
Antonov reiterated that no decision had yet been made.


3. (C) COMMENT: We do not anticipate any flexibility in the
Russian position on our request. Taken together, the refusal
to permit the three most recent requested CFE inspections are
the first concrete indication of movement toward a full
suspension of Russia's CFE Treaty implementation following
the Extraordinary Conference.
BURNS