WSJ OP-ED: GERMANS PUSHING FOR MORE DISARMAMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000356

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM NATO PGOV NRRC GM MARR KCFE
SUBJECT: WSJ OP-ED: GERMANS PUSHING FOR MORE DISARMAMENT

REF: A. STATE 12010

B. 06 BERLIN 1781

C. MUNICH 53

D. 07 BERLIN 2003

Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).


1. (U) Summary: Germany is a challenge for the U.S. on the
issue of arms control and disarmament, often critical of our
efforts and poorly informed about our activities. The
January 15 Wall Street Journal op-ed by Kissinger, Schultz,
Perry, and Nunn -- which supported inter alia the goal of
eliminating all nuclear weapons -- was widely lauded in
Germany. FM Steinmeier reiterated several of the points
during his speech on arms control at the Munich Security
Conference in February, and interlocutors from across the
political spectrum regularly express their support for the
article's tenets. Post will continue engaging German
contacts to reinforce the message of U.S. arms control
activities. We believe the message in REF A would be even
more effective if a written version could be left with key
interlocutors or turned into an op-ed. Post will share
separately with Department thoughts on possible text. End
Summary.

Arms Control Issues Transcend Party Politics
--------------


2. (SBU) Germany has a long post-war tradition of pressing
for arms control, with the Social Democrats (SPD) being among
the most vocal advocates of this agenda (REF B). Indeed, FM
Steinmeier consistently has pushed an active arms control
agenda since becoming Foreign Minister. (NOTE: Steinmeier
also is a Deputy Chairman of the SPD and possible SPD
chancellor candidate in the 2009 federal election.) The five
major German political parties are in basic agreement --
although the rhetoric varies -- that the nuclear states
should do more to disarm. They also share the view that the
U.S. should work more closely with Russia, particularly on
missile defense and matters relating to the arms control
regimes (CFE, START, etc...). According to Bundestag and MOD
contacts, the CDU/CSU often feels outmaneuvered by the SPD
and the smaller FDP, Green, and Left Parties on arms control.
While the CDU/CSU usually takes a more constructive role on
a number of arms control matters -- including on de-alerting
and CFE -- the SPD-led MFA continues to dominate the arms
control agenda.

FM Steinmeier Pushes Arms Control in Munich
--------------


3. (SBU) German press, politicians, and arms control
advocates have latched on to the WSJ op-ed as a demonstration
that important voices in the U.S. share the German view that
not enough is being done to disarm or prevent a new arms
race. At the Munich Security Conference in February, FM
Steinmeier mentioned the op-ed and lamented the lack of
leadership by the U.S. and other nuclear powers in pressing
an arms control and disarmament agenda (REF C). He claimed
that it was up to the West, and particularly the nuclear
states, to demonstrate goodwill rather than relying on
military power alone when pushing for international security.
Steinmeier said he fears a new global nuclear arms race and
has urged the Euro-Atlantic community to come together to
push an arms control agenda for the 21st century. (The
German/Norwegian initiative to "anchor the issue of
disarmament and arms control more firmly" at NATO is a key to
Steinmeier's agenda.)

Response to REFTEL Demarche -
--------------


4. (C) On March 3, PolOff met with Christoph Wolfrum, desk
officer in the nuclear arms control and non-proliferation
office of the German MFA, to discuss at length the points in
REF A. In general, Wolfrum noted his appreciation for and
value of the information, saying it was "a message we rarely
hear in Berlin." On specific points, Wolfrum offered the
following:

-- Germany hopes the U.S. and Russia will create a
"legally binding" post-Start treaty, including new
verification regimes and increased reductions in weapons
stockpiles;
-- Germany remains concerned about Russian threats to
withdraw from the INF treaty and would support discussions to

multi-lateralize this agreement;
-- Germany supports additional de-alerting measures and
believes they should be non-controversial (REF D);
-- On MD, Wolfrum noted that the MFA was pleased with
U.S. efforts to reach out so flexibly to Russia to breach
differences and build trust;
-- About applying universally the Additional Protocol
of the IAEA and support for the international safeguards
system, Wolfrum talked around the issue a bit by noting that
this is a touchy subject for the NAM countries, and for
Germany as well. He went on to emphasize, however, that
Germany has been a "huge supporter" of Article IV since the
earliest days of the NPT;
-- Germany supports the tabling of the FMCT draft at
the CD and opposes linkage -- even while supporting the goals
of other members states at the CD as well; and,
-- FM Steinmeier is working hard to gain support for
efforts to multi-lateralize the supply of nuclear fuel to
provide countries looking to expand their use of this energy
source.


5. (U) COMMENT AND REQUEST: Post will continue to use REF A
talking points with German counterparts, especially with
Bundestag members interested in disarmament. We will also
explore additional ways, and seek Washington guidance, to
bring high-level arms control and non-proliferation experts
to Berlin, similar to the successful visit in January of
UNVIE Ambassador Greg Schulte. Such visits effectively raise
awareness of U.S. efforts to dramatically reduce our
stockpile of weapons and limit proliferation on a global
scale. END COMMENT.
TIMKEN JR