FSC: MARCH 12 PLENARY; SPAIN HANDS OVER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000068 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, VCI/NRRC, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, PM/WRA JCS FOR J5 OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) NSC FOR DOWLEY USUN FOR LEGAL, POL CENTCOM FOR CCJ5-C, POLAD UNVIE FOR AC GENEVA FOR CD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL OSCE KCFE XG SUBJECT: FSC: MARCH 12 PLENARY; SPAIN HANDS OVER CHAIRMANSHIP TO ESTONIA REF: A. FSC.DEL/57/08 AIAM SUMMARY ¶B. FSC.AIAM/23/08 CHAIRMANS CLOSING REMARKS ¶C. USOSCE 0064 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The March 12 FSC Plenary concluded the chairmanship of Spain. Estonia will be at the helm at the next FSC Plenary which is scheduled for April 8, after the Spring OSCE break. The two main items of business were the Report of the Eighteenth Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting (AIAM),and closing remarks by Spain as Chairperson of the Forum for Security and Co-operation. Denmark informed the FSC on the status of the OSCE "stockpiles" projects. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Chairman of the closing session of the AIAM (Ambassador Dilberovic, Bosnia Herzegovina) read the Consolidated Summary of the Eighteenth Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting (ref A). The dates for the 2009 AIAM will be decided soon in the FSC. The Chairman of the closing session also noted that that the review of implementation of confidence-and security-building -measures (CSBMs) was an important annual event. In his view, the implementation of those measures remained the main priority of the FSC. ¶3. (SBU) The Spanish Chairman of the FSC (Ambassador Sanchez de Boado de la Valgoma) presented his closing remarks (ref B) highlighting what needed to be followed-up by the Estonia Chairmanship in the second part of the first session. Those issues and guidance requested in ref C are: -- Proposal for a draft Forum for Security Cooperation decision on taking national holidays into account when planning verification activities (FSC.DEL/492/07/Rev.4); -- Draft Decision on an OSCE network of points of contact on small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition (FSC.DD/2/08); -- Proposal for a draft decision on updating the OSCE principles for export controls of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) (FSC.DEL/46/08/Rev.1); -- Food-for-thought paper on possible FSC action toward improving the application of Vienna Document 1999 compliance and verification measures (the "quota race") (FSC.DEL/51/08); -- Proposal for a draft decision on an update of the questionnaire on the Code of Conduct (FSC.DEL/49/08); -- Food-for-thought paper on an exchange of information on multinational rapid reaction forces (FSC.DEL/545/06). ¶4. (SBU) Estonia (Ambassador Triin Parts) accepted the challenge noting that her four priorities for the next session were: -- Strengthening security dialogue; -- Continue CSBM implementation and new initiatives; -- the ASRC; and -- Preparations of the 2008 Ministerial Council. USOSCE 00000068 002 OF 002 She also announced that the first Plenary FSC would be on April 9 and the ending Plenary on July 23, 2008. ¶5. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) intervened thanking the current Chairmanship and offering U.S. cooperation for the Estonian Chairmanship. Russia (Ulyanov) also passed accolades but noted that the Russian Federation will focus on the Ministerial for conclusions of serious dialogue to mark success. Additionally, Ulyanov cited that it was important for this forum to continue efforts regarding CSBMs. ¶6. (SBU) Under any other business, Denmark updated the FSC on the status of the various "stockpile projects:" -- In Ukraine, an MOU between the OSCE and Ukraine has been signed for the destruction of 16,000 tons of Melange. Donations to date total 1.6 million Euros with a shortfall of 1.3 million Euros to finish the project. -- Albania has requested assistance to destroy 25 tons of Melange with an estimated cost of 70,000 Euros. The MOU is under discussion. -- The 150 tons of Melange project in Montenegro may include the Albanian project in order to cut costs. SCOTT