ESTONIA THINKS RUSSIAN DRAFT OSCE CHARTER A BAD

UNCLAS TALLINN 000340 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PREL KTIA PGOV RS EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA THINKS RUSSIAN DRAFT OSCE CHARTER A BAD IDEA Ref: STATE 69698 (SBU) On May 21, we delivered reftel points to Arti Hilpus, MFA Director for Security and Arms Control, and discussed the proposed Russian draft of an OSCE "charter." Hilpus said Estonia's position is similar to the USG?s position and agrees that the Russian proposal would undermine fundamental OSCE commitments on human rights. Estonia is currently participating in the EU Coordinating Group in order to have a common European position on Russia's proposal. While many other EU member states have similar positions to Estonia, Hilpus was unable to predict what the final EU position will be. PHILLIPS