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