OSCE/FSC SEPTEMBER 10: RUSSIA WILL FOCUS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 USOSCE 000212 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, VCI/NRRC, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA, EUR/CARC, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, PM/WRA JCS FOR J-5 OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) NSC FOR DOWLEY USUN FOR LEGAL, POL EUCOM FOR J-5 CENTCOM FOR J-5 UNVIE FOR AC GENEVA FOR CD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE RS GG XG SUBJECT: OSCE/FSC SEPTEMBER 10: RUSSIA WILL FOCUS ON GEORGIA IN AUTUMN ROUND ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Forum for Security Cooperation began its autumn round on September 10 with an exchange of charges and counter-charges between Georgia and Russia. Georgia reports that large numbers of Russian forces remain on its territory, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and are engaged in ethnic cleansing. Russia insisted that its forces only responded to Georgia's aggressive attack on South Ossetia and remain there and in Abkhazia to protect the lives of civilians in the now "independent" territories. Russia charged Georgia with numerous violations of the OSCE Code of Conduct for armed forces and claimed those supplying Georgia with weapons were violating the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Russia promised to return in detail to the Georgia conflict in future FSC meetings. ¶2. (SBU) The U.S. called for Russia to comply with the French-brokered six-point cease fire agreement, particularly the requirement for Russia to withdraw its forces to their pre-August 6 locations. Armenia, on behalf of CSTO, expressed concern over Georgia's military actions in the South Caucasus and praised Russia's role in bringing peace to the region. ¶3. (SBU) Finland assumed the chairmanship of the Forum and renewed its pledge to support further work on SALW, stockpiles of conventional ammunition, the Code of Conduct, and the Vienna Document. Finland will organize an October 29 joint meeting with the Permanent council on human rights in the armed forces. Finland will host Vienna Document 1999 visits to an airbase and military facility September 23-26. End summary. Finnish Chairman's Plans -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Pauli Jarvenpaa, head of the defense policy department at the Finnish Ministry of Defense, outlined Finland's plans for the autumn session. He noted Finland's role as OSCE CiO in working to negotiate a cease fire and promote conflict settlement in Georgia. The crisis there, he said, challenges the OSCE to continue the effective implementation of its arms control and CSBMs, which have continued relevance. ¶5. (SBU) Finland wants to further implementation of existing political-military documents, including SALW and conventional ammunition, the Code of Conduct, and the Vienna Document. The Security Dialogue has been recently revitalized, and should be used to "debate all European security issues." Finland plans an October 29 joint FSC-PC meeting on human rights in the armed forces. ¶6. (SBU) Several delegations welcomed Finland and expressed support for its plans. France (Lebedel),on behalf of the EU, agreed with Finland that the events in Georgia had a direct impact on the work of the Forum. Lebedel concurred that work should continue on the current acquis of the FSC, and specifically supported pending proposals on the Code of Conduct, SALW, and cyber security. Lebedel said that, in light of the uncertainty over CFE, the role of CSBMs becomes all the more important. Armenia (Papikyan),on behalf of the CSTO, called for the FSC to adopt the Russian CSBMs on rapid reaction and naval forces. USOSCE 00000212 002 OF 005 U.S. Warns CSBMs Not a Substitute for CFE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) welcomed the new chair's support for further work on implementation of UNSCR 1540 and use of the Security Dialogue. Neighbour warned that the U.S. could not, at this point, support further action on some CSBM proposals in the wake of "one participating State's" suspension of CFE and actions in Georgia, noting that it was not possible to substitute these proposals for full adherence to the principles and provisions of CFE. The Conflict in Georgia -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Georgia (Giorgadze) charged that Russian troops remained on its territory without legal basis in a military rather than peacekeeping role and are engaged in ethnic cleansing by expelling Georgians from their homes near Tskhinvali and burning their villages. Russian forces were indiscriminately using heavy weapons against civilian targets and population. He described Russian recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as contravening earlier agreements concerning the territories and international law. Georgia's actions on August 6 were intended to terminate "peacekeeping operations" in these territories and remove the basis for Russian military presence there. Georgia now views the territories as regions under Russian military occupation. Georgia has cut of diplomatic relations with Russia. ¶9. (SBU) Giorgadze thanked the EU, the U.S., and other participating States for their support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and for "condemning" Russian actions. He called on Russia to comply with all parts of the cease fire negotiated by President Sarkozy. He said there were currently 17,000 Russian troops deployed on Georgian territory, of which about 1,000 were outside the conflict zones. Russia Places All Blame on Georgia -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) charged that Georgia's military actions in South Ossetia have led to large-scale killing of the local population and the destruction of Tskhinvali and other settlements. Ulyanov said Georgia has used ethnic cleansing in an attempt to rapidly resolve the issue of the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Over 1,500 South Ossetians and ten Russian "peacekeepers" were killed and only Russian intervention has stopped the killing. Georgia's actions have destroyed any chance for the continued co-existence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia within Georgia. These territories have now concluded they need to be independent. Although a difficult decision, Russia recognized their independence as it was the only way to protect the lives of their inhabitants. Russia Compares South Ossetia-Abkhazia to Kosovo -------------- --- ¶11. (SBU) Some states, among them those who have recognized USOSCE 00000212 003 OF 005 Kosovo, claim Russian recognition of these territories violated international law. But, Ulyanov asked, why is Kosovo's declaration of independence acceptable but not South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's? Russia would like an answer. Russia Will Return to Georgia at Next FSC -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Ulyanov asked why Georgia was among the most heavily armed states. He charged some states were supplying weapons to Georgia in contravention of the OSCE Document on SALW. Also, Georgia had violated many of the provisions of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. In any case, he added, Russia will leave none of these issues alone and will return to them beginning with at the next FSC meting. Sarkozy-Medvedev Agreement -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Ulyanov praised the results of the Sarkozy-Medvedev meeting on September 8. The resulting agreement called for Georgian troops to return to their barracks and prohibited the use of force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The agreement will establish security zones with international monitors, with at least 200 from the EU, in sufficient numbers to replace the Russian peacekeepers, who will withdraw after the international presence is established. At that point responsibility for the security of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will rest with the international community. U.S.: Russia Must Honor Cease Fire -------------- ¶14. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) called on Russia to honor all provisions of the six-point cease fire agreement, particularly the requirement for Russian forces to withdraw to their pre-August 6 positions. Neighbour noted the international community had also called for full compliance. He recalled the EU and NATO condemnations of Russia recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and their support for Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity. ¶15. (SBU) Russia, Neighbour said, had reacted disproportionately to Georgia's ill-advised attack on Tskhinvali and its actions were not those of a peacekeeper. Russia needs to make better choices as its action have isolated it, jeopardized its international standing, and adversely impacted its economy. ¶16. (SBU) Russia's actions were not merely a response to Georgia's attack on Tskhinvali. Seconded Russia military officers commanding South Ossetian forces shelled Georgian villages and peacekeepers in early August, and Russia forces aided South Ossetian forces as they attacked Georgians after the cease fire declared by Georgia on August 7. ¶17. (SBU) The U.S. welcomed the PC decision to increase the number of monitors in Georgia and urged Russia to allow the additional monitors to deploy. Georgia Recalls Earlier Russian Air Incursions -------------- - USOSCE 00000212 004 OF 005 ¶18. (SBU) Georgia replied that Russia had been provoking it with incursions into Georgian airspace, attacks on radar sites, and constant artillery shelling. Russia has given many residents of the contested territories Russian passports while supporting the expulsion of Georgians. On the issue of arms imports, Giorgadze said Georgia is well below its (CFE) equipment limits. Russia Quotes U.S. Congressman on Tonkin Gulf -------------- ¶19. (SBU) Ulyanov said he empathized with refugees from South Ossetia and Abkazia, but they were the victims of Georgia' gamble that was now having a ricochet effect on its own citizens. Ulyanov quoted U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA),who accused Georgia of provoking a military incident as "the U.S. did in the Tonkin Gulf incident." Ulyanov accused the U.S. of a double standard in its recognition of Kosovo. Responding to the U.S. description of Russian actions as "disproportionate," Ulyanov said U.S. military actions in Iraq, Kosovo, Panama, and Grenada were hardly proportionate, mentioning specifically U.S. attacks on the Belgrade radio station and Chinese embassy. ¶20. (SBU) The U.S. replied Russian actions were still disproportionate even if, which was not the case, Georgia has violated the cease fire. Regarding Rohrabacher Neighbour said U.S. congressmen, all 535 of them, were free to speak their opinions. CSTO Praises Russian "Peacemaking" -------------- ¶21. (SBU) Armenia, on behalf of CSTO, expressed concern for Georgian military actions that resulted in the deaths of Russian soldiers and a "humanitarian disaster." CSTO praised the active role of Russia in "bringing peace to the region." Vienna Document -------------- ¶22. (SBU) Finland announced it would host a Vienna Document airbase and military facility visit on September 23-26. CPC News -------------- ¶23. (SBU) The Conflict Prevention Center (CPC) announced the publication of the OSCE Handbook of Best Practices on Conventional Ammunition. The handbook was published in English but editions in the other OSCE languages will be issued shortly. ¶24. (SBU) CPC also announced the appointment of Mathew Geertsen, recently with the Dutch delegation to the OSCE, as the head of the FSC Support Unit and of Glen Sibbetts (Canada) as the head of the Communications Network. Next Meeting -------------- USOSCE 00000212 005 OF 005 ¶25. (U) The next FSC meeting, which will include both plenary and working groups, will be on September 17. SCOTT