OSCE SIDESTEPS GEORGIA IN SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000807 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL OSCE SUBJECT: OSCE SIDESTEPS GEORGIA IN SECURITY COUNCIL REF: USUN 00805 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's annual briefing before the Security Council on September 28, Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos gave a generalized presentation that barely touched on Georgia. Prompted by Slovakia, Belgium, the UK and the US, Moratinos claimed that the OSCE had stepped in exemplary fashion to enhance Russia-Georgia dialogue. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's annual briefing before the Security Council on September 28, Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos gave a generalized presentation focused on the importance of the OSCE and its cooperation with other organizations. He mentioned the possibility of progress on Nagorno-Karabakh. On Kosovo, he said the OSCE was prepared to stay to protect minority communities and cultural and religious sites. Moratinos also mentioned in a positive light Kazakhstan's candidacy for OSCE chairmanship as the first former Soviet state and first Central Asian republic. The treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) was also important, said Moratinos, and we should find a way to put it into force through cooperation. ¶3. (SBU) Speaking for Slovakia, Foreign Minister Kubis said that focusing on the protracted conflicts was important and the appointment of a special representative to review the August 6 attack on Georgia had been a good choice. He urged the OSCE to focus on human rights, respect for minorities and confidence building measures in international conflicts. Speaking for Belgium, Foreign Minister De Gucht said he appreciated the OSCE's efforts regarding the August 6 incident in Georgia and its expressing the need to prevent any repetition. Italy's State Minister Craxi said the OSCE should continue to remain active in Kosovo and continue to fight intolerance, discrimination and trafficking. UK Permrep Sawyers agreed the CFE treaty was important and should enter into force as soon as possible. The OSCE's work on the August 6 missile incident had been positive as had been former-Croatian Foreign Minister Zuzul's recommendation to set up a rapid reaction force to respond better to such incidents in the future. ¶4. (SBU) Russian Permrep Churkin said Russia supports a speedy adoption of the OSCE charter, adding that the UN should work better with regional and subregional organizations. He said, the OSCE should also help Georgia "avoid the politics of provocation" that heat up incidents. Churkin noted the September 20 killing of two ethnic Russians in Abkhazia and called on the OSCE to investigate (reftel). ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Wolff welcomed the OSCE briefing to the Security Council, pointing out that seven members were also OSCE members. He asked how the OSCE could increase cooperation and activity in Afghanistan. He also asked, in light of the August 6 rocket attack, what concrete steps the OSCE has taken to bolster security and prevent future incidents and whether the OSCE has considered reviving a border monitoring mission for Georgia. ¶6. (SBU) In his response to these questions, Moratinos said CFE was on the agenda for the Madrid meeting. On Kosovo, he said the OSCE had 1,000 people in the field and intended to keep a strong presence. Regarding Georgia, Moratinos said he "had no intention to open a debate," but that the Chairman-in-Office had assumed a leading role after the August 6 incident and was seeking to enhance "existing Russian-Georgian dialogue" through rapid warning methods and better communications. The OSCE was considering border monitoring systems but these would require consensus. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Moratino's refusal to engage substantively on Georgia and the seriousness of the incidents this year was a disappointment. End comment. KHALILZAD