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. -------------- Kazakhstan 2009 OSCE Chairmanship -------------- ¶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 WHITE