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