MFA CALLS DISAPPOINTING ITS MISSILE DEFENSE TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001061 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MD NATO RS SUBJECT: MFA CALLS DISAPPOINTING ITS MISSILE DEFENSE TALKS WITH POLAND REF: IIR 6901052008 DTG 171044Z APR 08 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) In an April 16 meeting, MFA Section Chief for Strategic Stability Head Vladimir Yermakov characterized the April 8 MD talks between Russian DFM Kislyak and Polish DFM Vashikovski as "worrying and disappointing." Yermakov explained that Russia "simply could not understand" Poland's refusal to allow Russia's permanent presence at the MD site in favor of "frequent and surprise" visits to the site by accredited personnel in the Russian Embassy. Kislyak made it clear that Russia considered permanent presence a minimum requirement for lowering (not eliminating) Russia's concern over the site. Yermakov said Kislyak planned to discuss this issue in depth with Acting U/S Rood, stressing that Poland's "intransigence" could have serious repercussions for U.S.-Russia MD talks. ¶2. (C) Yermakov acknowledged that Vashikovksi was equally disappointed with Kislyak's firm refusal to allow Polish military specialists access to Russia's offensive weapons system, arguing that the rules of reciprocity did not apply. Kislyak reiterated the GOR position that the MD site in Poland would be owned and operated by the U.S., not Poland. Thus, it "made no sense" to grant Poland access to Russian bases. Vashikovski recalled statements from senior Russian officials that the GOR would respond to Poland's participation in U.S. MD plans with "adequate military measures" and underscored Poland's interest in gaining access to Russian military installations. Kislyak downplayed the GOR statements and noted that the military measures would be directed only at "specific objects of concern." ¶3. (C) Polish Embassy Political Counselor Andzhei Olborski, who participated in the talks, confirmed the accuracy of the MFA readout, but added that Kislyak held up a Russian translation of the U.S. transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBM) and claimed that the U.S. "promised Russia 24/7 access" to the MD site in Poland. Vashikovski took out his copy of the TCBM and countered, "I have the original version in English and nowhere does it mention permanent presence." Olborski said Kislyak seemed caught offguard and only noted that Russia would press this point with the U.S. in the next round of talks. ¶4. (C) Yermakov and Olborski said that both sides agreed to continue negotiations on MD, perhaps in the format of "1 1 2" (U.S. Russia Poland and Czech Republic). However, Kislyak warned Vashikovski that Russia is not interested in "prolonged, aimless" negotiations, either with Poland or the U.S. If Russia perceived that its fundamental concerns were being ignored and that the talks were nothing more than a "smoke screen," Russia would pull out of the talks and "take the appropriate measures." ¶5. (C) See reftel for DAO reporting on the Russian-Polish MD talks. BURNS