Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USOSCE179
2008-07-16 06:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Mission USOSCE
Cable title:  

OPEN SKIES: LIFT OFF! 500 FLIGHT COMMEMORATION

Tags:  PARM PREL OSCE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7958
PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHVEN #0179/01 1980619
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 160619Z JUL 08 ZDK
FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5825
INFO RUCNOSC/ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//POLAD/XPXC//
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ5-T/ECCS/ECPLAD//
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XONP//
RUEASWA/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC//OSAO
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-DDPMA-E/DDPMA-IN/CAC//
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000179 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/PRA, EUR/RPM, SCA/CEN
JCS FOR COL NORWOOD
OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI)
NSC FOR DOWLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL OSCE
SUBJECT: OPEN SKIES: LIFT OFF! 500 FLIGHT COMMEMORATION
PLENARY AND BALLOON RELEASE

REF: STATE 73228

USOSCE 00000179 001.2 OF 003


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000179

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/PRA, EUR/RPM, SCA/CEN
JCS FOR COL NORWOOD
OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI)
NSC FOR DOWLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL OSCE
SUBJECT: OPEN SKIES: LIFT OFF! 500 FLIGHT COMMEMORATION
PLENARY AND BALLOON RELEASE

REF: STATE 73228

USOSCE 00000179 001.2 OF 003



1. (U) Summary. On July 14, the Open Skies Consultative
Commission (OSCC) held a special plenary session to
commemorate the conduct of 500 observation flights since the
Treaty entered into force in January 2002. The U.S.
initiative received strong support from all delegations, and
the 500 balloon release garnered positive press coverage.
The Finnish Ambassador, speaking on behalf of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, remarked on the historical linkage
between this event under U.S. Chairmanship and former
President Bush,s proposal initiating the Treaty in May 1989.
Many U.S. reps received accolades from other delegations
regarding U.S. leadership of the event. The U.S. initiative
was particularly welcomed as a sign of commitment to European
arms control and security. While this was the final plenary
under U.S. Chairmanship of the OSCC for the spring/summer
session, we will remain in the Chair until Belarus assumes
the Chair for the next plenary on September 22. End summary.

500 Observation Flights ) Well Done!


2. (U) On July 14, the U.S.-hosted the final OSCC plenary for
the summer with a special meeting designed to commemorate the
success of the 500 observation flights conducted as of this
summer since entry into force of the Treaty in January 2002
(OSCC.INF/18/08). As of July 10, 488 flights have been
announced. The 500th flight should occur within three weeks
time. See the updated "flight tracker" at OSCC.DEL/7/08/Rev

2. The meeting was open to the press and photographers.


3. (U) The U.S. Chair, Chief Arms Control Delegate Hugh
Neighbour opened the meeting with a short statement
highlighting this collective accomplishment. In particular
he noted the flights have more than proven the concept of
openness and transparency envisioned by former President Bush
when he launched the initiative for Open Skies in May 1989.


4. (U) The U.S. also emphasized the efforts of all the
individuals responsible for accomplishing these missions.
The heads of verification agencies from Germany (Mertens),
Russia (Hudoklinov) and the U.S. (Ronnie Faircloth, Defense
Threat Reduction Agency) were present and recognized on

behalf of all the mission teams. The U.S. presented a framed
poster for permanent display in the Hofburg of the "500th
Commemoration" graphic designed by USAF rep Eric Scholl from
the Open Skies Media Processing Facility at Wright-Patterson,
AFB. The U.S. also recognized the importance of the work
provided by the various offices within the OSCE Secretariat.


5. (U) The panel of speakers for the special plenary included
the current German Ambassador to the OSCE, Axel Berg, former
Hungarian Ambassador Marton Krazsnai, and long-time Russian
delegation expert General Alexander Peresypkin. (See
statements in Journal.) Germany mentioned its plans for a
seminar in October to discuss future aircraft options,
following on to the sensor discussions held in May 2007.
Krazsnai suggested further review of options for regional
conflict prevention resulting from environmental causes such
as water shortages in Central Asia. Russia applauded the
success so far, but believes the Treaty,s potential is far
from fully utilized. Peresypkin said additional quotas could
be flown, further accession of new members, and flights in
response to requests of other organizations remain possible
areas for development.

6.(U) Several States Parties spoke after the panel, led by
the Finnish Ambassador on behalf of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office. Finland saw it as fitting that the U.S.
was able to organize the event during its chairmanship,
especially since the Treaty had been an initiative of former
President Bush in 1989. Finland stressed the importance of
transition to a digital world in order to keep the Treaty
relevant. The Ambassadors of the UK and Greece spoke in
support of the event and urged that additional states
consider accession. Representatives from Italy and Romania
emphasized the importance of the Treaty for European security

USOSCE 00000179 002 OF 003


and continued confidence-building. Cyprus reiterated its
readiness to join the Treaty.

7.(U) Immediately following the special plenary, over 200
OSCC delegates gathered on the front steps of the Hofburg
Palace and released 500 balloons as a symbolic gesture
accompanying the 500 successful observation flights. U.S.
and other delegates were interviewed during this press event,
and several positive articles were posted by July 15.
Television and print media coverage included CNN
International, German (ZDF) and Austrian (ORF) channels, AFP,
and Jane,s Defense Weekly is expected.

8.(U) Comment: Delegation representatives conveyed
overwhelmingly positive remarks to several U.S. reps
following the event. Many believed it was an important
opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of a Treaty that is
working well, despite other setbacks in the European
conventional arms control area and on-going tensions in the
Georgia/Russia relationship. Even Russian rep Ulyanov
praised the U.S. for its leadership and organizational
skills. All seemed genuinely delighted to be able to
participate in this inclusive "good news" event initiated by
the U.S. USDel greatly appreciates the team effort by all
U.S. reps involved in organizing the event. End Comment.

Business meeting:

9.(U) During the standard business meeting held just prior to
the commemoration plenary, and closed to the press as is
standard practice, the OSCC adopted two Decisions
(OSCC.INF/16/08):
--Decision 4/08 ) The OSCC Scales of Distribution for 2008
and 2009; and
--Decision 5/08 ) Revision Three to Decision 7/07 on the
Distribution of Active Quotas for Observation Flights in the
Year 2008 (which allows the U.S. two additional sharing
flights, one each with Latvia and the UK.)

10.(U) The UK made a clarification statement regarding its
future intentions for participation under the Treaty. The UK
continues to value the Open Skies Treaty, and remains
committed toward its implementation. It will continue to
receive all passive quotas (inbound missions). However,
there is no longer a budget for its Andover aircraft, so it
will no longer to conduct missions on its own aircraft.
However, it hopes to conduct three missions in 2009 in
cooperation with other partners/aircraft. (See Journal for
full statement).

11.(SBU) Comment: In early May the UK informed OSCC
delegations informally that it would no longer be able to fly
its Andover aircraft, and would likely cease all active
missions. Following a demarche from the U.S., and an offer
from the U.S. to share a flight on our aircraft in August,
the UK revised its original intentions such that it will be
able to continue flying with partners. On the margins, USDel
emphasized to UK reps that we view this as a positive
development, not only for the UK, but for the message it
sends to other States Parties as well. End comment.


12. (U) Certification Plans; Quota Distribution Prep; Sensor
update:

--Romania and Norway announced further information on plans
for an aircraft certification event for September 15-21 in
Bucharest. This will be a joint certification event
including the Pod Group C-130 with new sensor configurations.
The event will be supported by Germany as well. Technical
data packages with pre-certification data were distributed to
all delegations. U.S. rep Scholl (OSMPF, Wright-Patterson
AFB) will hand carry the data to USA for review. (See
Journal).

--Sensor Working Group Update: USDel provided a report from
the U.S. Chair of the Informal Working Group on Sensors
(IWGS). A recent proposal for changes to the draft for

USOSCE 00000179 003 OF 003


Revision One of Decision 14 and Decision 17 were received
from one delegation (Russia) and have been posted on the IWGS
website for review by the group. Comments on the proposals
are due August 1. (OSCC.SEN/7/08).

--Germany announced that information was distributed in
preparation for the October 9-10 annual quota distribution
discussions (OSCC.INF/19/08).

FINLEY