CIVIL SPACE COOPERATION: MFA PRESSES FOR

UNCLAS MOSCOW 005035 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPA TSPL PREL PARM NASA KZ AS BR KS RS SUBJECT: CIVIL SPACE COOPERATION: MFA PRESSES FOR FINALIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT REF: STATE 87116 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On October 12, EUR/PRA Director Antia Friedt discussed the Framework Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) and other civil space cooperation issues with Andrei Kruitskikh of MFA's Department of Disarmament and Security Affairs (DVBR). Kruitskikh noted the good progress made during the June round of Framework TSA talks (reftel) and urged that the next negotiating round take place no later than early December. Friedt tentatively agreed to Kruitskikh's offer to host the next interagency negotiating round in November/early December. End Summary. Framework Technology Safeguards Agreement -------------- ¶2. (SBU) EUR/PRA Director Friedt, accompanied by Embassy EST, met in Moscow October 12 with DVBR's Kruitskikh and Sergei Shestakov. Friedt informed Kruitskikh that the latest TSA negotiating draft was still being reviewed by the SIPDIS interagency; she hoped to be able to provide a new draft in the next week. Friedt asked Kruitskikh to clarify what Russia wants in terms of access to U.S. space projects and how this access would be managed. Kruitskikh replied that everything would be done in accordance with Article V: Technology Security Plans (TSPs). The TSPs would be drafted, approved, and supervised by relevant agencies (NASA and Roskosmos). The plans themselves would be 99% technical, specific to the joint space project implemented, and in accordance with national laws and regulations. The governments would have a "supervisory" or "oversight" role. Kruitskikh said that the Russian side was at first skeptical about Article V, but now realizes it is a "perfect solution." Kruitskikh made a number of other comments regarding ongoing TSA negotiations with other countries, including Australia, SIPDIS Brazil, and South Korea. He repeated comments he made during negotiations in Washington in June regarding difficulties encountered during negotiations with the Australians, including protection of classified information sharing between the U.S. and Australia. Other Pending Space-Related Agreements -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Friedt asked about the status of two other space cooperation agreements: the "Agreement for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes" (Civil Space Agreement) and the "Agreement Concerning the Procedure for the Customs Documentation and Duty-Free Entry of Good Transported within the Framework of U.S. Russian Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes" (Customs Agreement). Both agreements have been under review by the Russian side since summer. Kruitskikh replied that the GOR hoped to respond in the next two weeks via dipnote to extend the agreements. Kruitskikh then inquired about the status of the Baikonur Technology Safeguards Agreement. We explained that the English-language version of the Kazakhstani text still contained several legal discrepancies which the Government of Kazakhstan (GOK) needed to address before the Baikonur TSA could move forward. When asked about the status of the Russian-Kazakstani text, Kruitskikh said that the GOK was stalling in order to gain leverage on renegotiating rental terms for the GOR's use of the Baikonur launch site. Kruitskikh urged us to pressure the GOK and "discipline the process" in order to get the Baikonur agreement ratified. Friedt replied that we would ask our Embassy in Astana to inquire regarding the status. "Passionately Waiting" -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Kruitskikh concluded the meeting by alleging that President Putin was annoyed that the Framework TSA has been stalled and that DVBR would like its year-end report to the President to say that the TSA was ready for signature. Kruitskikh said he is "passionately waiting" to hear back from the USG and for experts on both sides to agree to dates for the next round of negotiations in Moscow, adding that he hoped to see full U.S. interagency participation, including NASA. Friedt said she hopes to have interagency feedback on the text soon and promised to consult with interagency colleagues and get back to Kruitskikh regarding specific dates. Kruitskikh said his schedule was free in November, with the exception of the very last week in November. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Kruitskikh is personally committed to a TSA agreement, but it appears to be less of a priority for others in the GOR. Deputy Foreign Minister Kislyak has not recently raised it. Nonetheless, TSA remains a Presidential Checklist item and we should continue to demonstrate to the Russian side that we are committed to successfully negotiating this agreement. Burns