JCG: JULY 8 JCG, ULYANOV SAYS RUSSIA CAN WORK FROM

UNCLAS USOSCE 000175 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM NSC FOR DOWLEY JCS FOR J5 (NORWOOD) OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS SUBJECT: JCG: JULY 8 JCG, ULYANOV SAYS RUSSIA CAN WORK FROM THE PARALLEL ACTIONS PACKAGE, WANTS TO DISCUSS IN VIENNA Sensitive but Unclassified; Please protect accordingly. Not for Internet. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. At the July 8 JCG meeting, Germany (Schweizer) supported by France, UK, Portugal, Turkey and the U.S., raised the issue of Russia refusing Germany's request to conduct a CFE inspection. Germany stated its concern that the Russian Federation was not implementing the CFE Treaty and its non-compliance would lead to full erosion of the Treaty. The supporting States Parties called for Russia to end its suspension of CFE Treaty implementation and accept the parallel actions package. France (Simonet) used some strong language by "deploring" the actions of the Russian Federation. In response to the statements against Russia, JCG Arms Control Rep Ulyanov stated that the prospect for a mutually acceptable solution was remote and urged the discussions of parts of the parallel actions package be held in Vienna. Ulyanov also claimed that Russia did not seek to "disaggregate" the package. Spain read a summary of Session II of the Annual Security Review Conference. The U.S. offered its condolences to Russia for the loss of one of it long-time Vienna delegates, Alexander Ivanov. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Under the Chairmanship of Luxembourg (Pilot), Germany, under instructions from Berlin, delivered a lengthy intervention on Russia's refusal of a German CFE inspection that was to have started on July 8 in Russia. Germany noted that it would continue to fully implement the Treaty, however the longer Russia continues with its current suspension, the more the likelihood that it would lead to full erosion of the Treaty. The Allies have given specific proposals in the parallel actions plan as written in the March 28 NAC Statement. In concluding, Germany noted that "all" were waiting for a Russian response. ¶3. (SBU) Some Allies spoke in support of the German statement: -- France (Simonet),associated itself with the German statement and said it "deplores the actions of the Russian Federation." France continued by calling for the Russian Federation to comply with its Treaty obligations. -- U.S. (Neighbour) stated that the U.S. fully supported the German statement and Germany bringing this issue to the attention of the JCG. Neighbour also noted that this was the eleventh inspection Russia had refused, as well as other acts of non-compliance such as their failure to provide the Annual Exchange of Information, quarterly reports on Kushchevskaya, and other notifications in accordance with the Protocol on Notification and Exchange of Information for force changes. The U.S. too called for Russia's renewed cooperation, full compliance with its Treaty obligations and for Russia to engage seriously on the parallel actions package. -- UK, Portugal and Turkey supported or aligned themselves with the German statement and urged Russia to engage in the parallel actions package. ¶4. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) responded by lamenting that unfortunately the prospects for a mutually acceptable solution were remote. Russia has called for serious dialogue and it had fallen on deaf ears. A decisive role could be taken by the JCG as depicted in Article XVI of the CFE Treaty, but was blocked as well as the dialogue in the NATO-Russian Council Arms Control Experts group. With all the other potential forums for discussion closed, only the U.S.-Russia bilateral venue remained. Russia continued to criticize the United States for meeting it only twice so far in 2008. Considering the number if issues at hand, even if a breakthrough were possible the time required to negotiate a final package would be tremendous. Ulyanov proposed that regular working meetings in Vienna supplement the U.S.-Russia bilateral discussions. -- The U.S. (Neighbour) explained the U.S. position regarding no negotiations on the package in Vienna and noted that it was in fact the Russian Federation that has come to bilateral meetings unprepared to address the substantive issues. -- Ulyanov countered, saying that he could not agree with the U.S.'s assessment and that the Russian Federation has always been ready to have serious dialogue and that Russia had fulfilled all of its promises and proposals submitted on Moldova and Georgia in January 2008. He noted that the picture "drawn" by the U.S. was not realistic. Ulyanov summarized his statement by saying that the Russian Federation did not plan on dissecting the parallel actions plan but work on it as a whole package. He again insisted that the U.S. and its Allies must talk here in Vienna. -- The U.S. questioned Russia's intent and stated that if Russia was serious it would agree to the Parallel actions package in New York in July at the next bilateral meeting between the U.S. and Russia. Russia should not seek to "cherry-pick" parts of the package for discussion in Vienna. -- Russia noted that this was a useful exchange and that Russia did not want to look at the parallel actions package piecemeal, but as a whole. For this it will take time and time was available in Vienna. Ulyanov claimed Russia did not seek to "disaggregate" the package. -- Neighbour closed the discussion by noting Ulyanov's comment that Russia would not seek to to "disaggregate" the parallel actions package and calling for Russia to formally agree to the package which would allow the States Parties to move forward. ¶5. (SBU) Spain (Mor Sola) read a summary Spain had written concerning Session II of the Annual Security Review Conference (JCG.DEL/21/08). There was no discussion generated. ¶6. (SBU) The U.S. passed its condolences to Russia for the loss of one of it long-time Vienna delegates, Alexander Ivanov, who passed away within a month of his diagnosed cancer. A moment of silence was observed. ¶7. (U) The next JCG will be July 15 and Chaired by Moldova. FINLEY