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