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 -------------- �00A; ¶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