FRANCE: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON PROPOSED RUSSIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002197

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2017
TAGS: OSCE PREL KTIA PGOV RS FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON PROPOSED RUSSIAN
DRAFT OF AN OSCE "CHARTER"

REF: STATE 69698

Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASO
NS 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on May 25 to Camille
Grand, MFA DAS-equivalent for Disarmament. Grand explained
that, like the U.S., France remained concerned about Russian
intentions to change the fundamental nature of the OSCE.
Russian declarations about modernization of the organization
were welcome, Grand noted, but the practical implications of
Russia's proposals clearly sought to micromanage the OSCE's
missions' work on the ground in order to further limit their
scope of work and unduly influence their conclusions. For
Russia, he said, a change in the scope of work would
obviously mean a decrease in the economic and human dimension
activities of the OSCE.


2. (C) Grand had not yet had the opportunity to review the
draft charter presented by Russia on May 17, but he readily
undertook to ensure that the French Mission in Vienna would
consult closely with USOSCE (if they had not already done so)
on the substance of the proposal. Poloff explained our
position against engaging the Russians directly on their
draft and he urged Grand to consider adopting a similar
position. Grand agreed to explore the option, and noted that
the Russian draft charter proposal was only the latest in a
series of Russian maneuvers aimed at altering the core
principles of the OSCE acquis.


3. (C) Grand added that the OSCE was "in crisis" and that
constructive engagement with Russia was therefore vital. He
suggested that reinvigorating political discussions at the
OSCE (in the Permanent Council) would provide the Russians
with a serious forum to express their ideas. This would also
allow other states to continually affirm the necessity of
maintaining balance among the organization's three key
pillars of work.

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Kazakhstan 2009 OSCE Chairmanship
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4. (C) Given recent Russian rhetoric about the OSCE, Grand
emphasized the importance of seriously considering Kazakhstan
for the 2009 Chairmanship. A Kazakh Chairmanship, he
insisted, would help convince Russia and other skeptical (and
paranoid) states that the organization was truly open to all
participating states and not limited to the "West." Poloff
explained that the U.S. did not oppose the Kazakh bid in
principle, but that certain standards could not be
compromised; Kazakhstan had to show true progress before it
could lead the organization. Grand hoped that OSCE member
states could remain as open as possible the Kazakh bid.


Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

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