U.S. RESPONSE TO REQUEST FROM CYPRUS FOR OSCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 124486 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2010 TAGS: CY MARR MAS NATO OSCE PARM PREL SUBJECT: U.S. RESPONSE TO REQUEST FROM CYPRUS FOR OSCE ASSISTANCE IN MANPADS DESTRUCTION REF: A. FSC-PC.DEL/39/08 ¶B. FSC.DEL/175/08/REV.1 ¶C. IIR 6 823 0021 09 Classified By: Richard A. Davis, VCI/CCA Office Director. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. This is an action message; please see para 6 below. ¶2. (SBU) On October 29, 2008, the Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus formally requested from OSCE participating States technical assistance with the destruction of 324 SA-7s MANPADS and their gripstocks (Ref A). At that time the OSCE,s Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) Coordinator for SA/LW Projects -- a rotating position currently held by Colonel Steve Hartnell (United Kingdom) -- indicated that the OSCE would organize the response to this request and asked participating States for a show of interest. ¶3. (SBU) On November 5, 2008, Colonel Hartnell reported that Cyprus had distributed answers to the OSCE assistance questionnaire (FSC.EMI/419.08),which indicated that Cyprus' is seeking experts to: --conduct a detailed risk assessment; --provide advice and technical assistance in developing a destruction program in conjunction with local experts; --facilitate the execution of the destruction program in collaboration with local experts; and --provide training for local experts prior to destruction. ¶4. (C) USOSCE indicated that the UK and the Czech Republic have shown interest in providing assistance to Cyprus. Colonel Hartnell plans to hold an informal meeting in the near future to discuss OSCE assistance with interested parties. ¶5. (SBU) Washington has reviewed the request from Cyprus and has decided to participate in this project. In addition, subject to further evaluation, the U.S. may offer to lead this project. ¶6. (SBU) Action Request: Mission should inform the OSCE Coordinator and other relevant OSCE officials, as necessary, that the U.S. is willing to support this destruction project, to include by providing experts for an initial assessment visit. Mission may also indicate that the U.S. is considering an offer to lead the project, but that a final decision will be subject to further information regarding the scope of work. Mission should solicit the following information during the Coordinator's informal meeting and report the results: --the expected timing of the first assessment visit; --the GOC ministry/agency/office which will assume responsibility for the project; and --responsibilities and standard procedures for leading such a project. RICE