RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY DENIES REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS OSLO 000187 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL NO SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY DENIES REQUEST FOR JOINT DEMARCHE ON GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: STATE 21535 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador met on February 26 with Russian Ambassador to Norway Sergey Andreev to discuss reftel request for a joint approach to the GON to endorse the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Statement of Principles. Andreev declined on grounds that he had no official instructions to do so. Andreev's understanding was that the parties to the Global Initiative had agreed on joint approaches to seven countries, including Ukraine, South Africa and others, but not including Norway. Though he lacked official instructions, Andreev said he would take up the issue informally with appropriate GON officials as the opportunity arose. He thought it would take little convincing for Norway to endorse the initiative and principles and welcomed the Ambassador raising the issue with the GON on his own. ¶2. (SBU) In light of Andreev's response, Post will proceed on its own with delivery of reftel points to GON officials. WHITNEY