MFA SAYS RUSSIA NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPERIAL DEBTS

UNCLAS MOSCOW 001732 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS, L/CID TREASURY FOR TORGERSON NSC FOR WARLICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC ECON KGCN KIDE PREL RS SUBJECT: MFA SAYS RUSSIA NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPERIAL DEBTS REF: A. STATE 28546 ¶B. MOSCOW 963 ¶1. The MFA's response to the dipnote delivered per Ref A argues that the Russian Federation is not responsible for satisfying claims on obligations dating back to the Russian Empire. An unofficial translation of the dipnote's entire text follows. Begin Text: "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 2272/DSA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and, in connection with the U.S. Embassy's Note No. 22 of March 20, 2008, concerning compensation to holders of securities issued by the Russian Imperial Government, has the honor to advise the following: Settling financial claims stemming from guarantees provided by the Russian Imperial Government or securities issued by that government and placed in foreign states as well as settling other financial and nonproperty claims of foreign individuals and legal entities against the Russian Empire is not an obligation of the Russian Federation. Such claims cannot be accepted by the Russian Federation as a subject of negotiations either now or in the future. Debts of the Russian Empire, including those in the form of bonds, were annulled by a decree of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee of February 3 (January 21) 1918. Neither the USSR nor the Russian Federation has assumed any obligations to the holders of said securities to pay or settle those debts. The Ministry avails itself of the opportunity to extend to the Embassy of the United States of America renewed assurances of its highest consideration. Moscow, June 9, 2008 To the Embassy of the United States of America Moscow" End Text. ¶2. Post is prepared to furnish a copy of the original Russian text. Please contact Economic Officer Clayton Hays at hayscp@state.gov or hayscx@state.sgov.gov. RUSSELL