FM LAVROV PRESSES FOR 2+2 DATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000329

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR RS
SUBJECT: FM LAVROV PRESSES FOR 2+2 DATES

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) At the request of FM Lavrov, Deputy Foreign Minister
Sergey Kislyak contacted the Ambassador on February 8 to urge
the U.S. to confirm the timing for the second round of the
2 2 ministerial dialogue. Noting the outstanding GOR
proposal to meet in Washington on March 13, Kislyak said that
FM Lavrov and DefMin Serdyukov were concerned by the delay in
confirming dates given the busy calendars of all the
participants and the need to ensure that adequate
preparations for the negotiations are completed in advance.
Kislyak underscored that the GOR sought confirmation of the
dates as soon as possible, and no later than the beginning of
the week of February 11. He reiterated the GOR assessment
that the 2 2 mechanism was important to keeping lines of
communication open and advancing strategic objectives.


2. (C) Kislyak added that if the U.S. remained interested
in pursuing the strategic framework first floated during the
October 2007 session, he would need to begin consultations
with U/S Rood, during their already scheduled February 21
expert talks in Budapest.


3. (C) Comment: Kisylak made clear that if March 13 is not
feasible for the U.S., the GOR is ready to entertain a
counterproposal on both timing and locale, but strongly
prefers to hold the second session as close as possible to
that date.
BURNS