ACTION REQUEST: FRIED-ANTONOV DISCUSSION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 100758 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2018 TAGS: KCFE NATO OSCE PARM PREL RS SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: FRIED-ANTONOV DISCUSSION ON FUTURE OF CFE TALKS REF: USNATO 336 Classified By: ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAN FRIED FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action message for posts in all NATO capitals, USOSCE and USNATO. It follows up on discussion at the September 11 HLTF regarding appropriate CFE contacts with Russia in light of events in Georgia (discussed in detail Ref A). Posts should brief this information orally, not/not provide the information on paper. ¶2. (C/REL) At earliest opportunity, action addressees should contact host government HLTF representatives (USNATO may inform the NATO I.S. and Allied delegations; USOSCE may use this information in contacts with Allied delegations) to inform them that -- consistent with the HLTF discussion -- A/S Fried spoke with Director for Disarmament Antonov (if asked: late in the day on September 11) regarding plans for a U.S.-Russia bilateral meeting on CFE. Fried indicated that talks would have to be postponed in light of Russia,s actions in Georgia. Fried assured Antonov that he was not taking the parallel actions package off the table or terminating the U.S.-Russia bilateral channel on CFE, but that circumstances made it necessary to postpone a meeting. Fried indicated that the U.S. and NATO Allies would need to consider the implications of Russia,s actions for CFE and the process. Antonov expressed readiness to meet with Fried "anytime, anywhere." Fried and Antonov agreed to get in touch, possibly by phone at the end of the month. RICE