CFE: MARCH 11 JCG PLENARY; CANADA ANNOUNCES THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L USOSCE 000067 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM NSC FOR DOWLEY JCS FOR J5 NORWOOD OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2012 TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL SUBJECT: CFE: MARCH 11 JCG PLENARY; CANADA ANNOUNCES THE NEW ROLE PARLIAMENT PLAYS IN RATIFICATION Classified By: Chief Arms Control Delegate Hugh Neighbour, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. At the March 11 JCG Plenary, the last before the spring break, Canada briefed on its new treaty ratification practice and procedure. Russia rambled-on about numerous issues to include the "Parallel Actions Package," the NRC (ACE) meeting of 28 February, why Russia ratified the A/CFE Treaty in 2004, the "flank" issues, and providing a clean text for Parliaments to ratify. The next JCG is scheduled for April 8, 2008. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) At the March 11 JCG Plenary Canadian rep Pierre Linteau briefed the JCG on the new practices and procedures Canada has implemented regarding signing and ratifying international treaties. The new procedures give Parliament a role. The House of Commons will now examine and review treaties for 21 days before the executive branch has the authority to ratify (like the UK system). As it pertains to the A/CFE Treaty, it was noted although final concurrence from Ottawa has not been received that no new legislation will be required. The government believes that these new rules and procedures by the Parliament will ensure that new treaties will serve the interests of all Canadians. These new procedures should not change Canada's ability to meet international obligations. ¶3. (C) Russia (Ulyanov) in opening his long, rambling remarks noted that the "parallel actions package" was under discussion on a bilateral basis and criticized the number of meetings held and the time it has taken to seriously engage the question of ratification without progress. Additionally Ulyanov: -- recalled the presentations in November of three States Parties and the amount of time it would take them to ratify A/CFE. -- appealed to all States Parties to relate the approximate length of time it would take for their national ratification procedures and present those at the April 8 JCG Plenary. -- said he was under the impression that most delegations misunderstood the Russian position. Ulyanov suggested that the Russian delegation will brief its position in the JCG after the break. -- explained why Russia ratified A/CFE in 2004, called a moratorium in 2007, and labeled the CFE Treaty "outdated." Russia's suspension pertained to the CFE Treaty and if A/CFE entered into force, Russia would resume its Treaty obligations. -- said that since Russia ratified and deposited its instruments of ratification 2004, the environment had changed. The U.S. had not talked about military presence in Romania and Bulgaria. Russia had completed "all" of its Istanbul commitments and by ratifying A/CFE. Russia had hopes that others would soon follow suit. -- claimed that due to the extraordinary circumstances, Russia will respond with measures provided for by national and international law. -- noted that after 2004 (NOTE: Meaning the Kozak Agreement turned down by Moldova. END NOTE),Russia's hopes were dashed for quick ratification by all States Parties. He called the A/CFE Treaty outdated as well, and called for it to be adjusted. -- stated that flank problem became a problem only because A/CFE was not ratified earlier. He rhetorically called the "flanks" discriminatory and claimed that Russia could not agree to retain the flank regime and it too needed adjustment. He added again that there should be a political decision on removal (for Russia) of the flanks and then an amendment to A/CFE after its entry into force. -- concluded by calling for all the adjustments to A/CFE be made prior to parliament ratification procedures so parliaments could look at "clean" text. ¶4. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) responded to support the Canadian briefing on its changes to its Parliament's involvement in the ratification process with treaties, and to say it is another illustration that Allies are serious and prepared to deliver what they agree to, once the RF agrees to the "parallel actions package." He also urged the Russian Federation to reverse its decision to "suspend" the CFE Treaty implementation and resume full implementation immediately. ¶5. (C) Ulyanov again rhetorically asked the United States what it felt was more important: the political decisions related to the "so-called" Istanbul commitments; or the importance of the "cornerstone of European security" consists of? (COMMENT: Most recognize this as a typical Russian tactic to push a divisive issue on the table for Allies to be anxious over. END COMMENT). The U.S. (Neighbour) quickly responded that Istanbul was a package as well as the "parallel actions package" and no part can be excluded. ¶6. (SBU) Romania informed the JCG that at our next JCG Plenary meeting scheduled for April 8, it would summarize the activities of the NATO Summit held in Bucharest 2-4 April. This was a previously planned session of the "focused dialogue." ¶7. (U) The JCG also bid farewell to Jean-Micheal Vidal (France) for his four years of efforts in the JCG. Vidal did not give his farewell speech, holding it for the FSC tomorrow, but urged Russia to support the "parallel actions package" as a reasonable solution. SCOTT