Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08WARSAW1183
2008-10-09 06:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:
SECOND SOFA PLENARY CONCLUDES AMID POSITIVE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHWR #1183 2830611 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 090611Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7137 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAMDA/MDA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001183
SIPDIS
EUR/CE FOR MORRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PL
SUBJECT: SECOND SOFA PLENARY CONCLUDES AMID POSITIVE
ATMOSPHERE
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001183
SIPDIS
EUR/CE FOR MORRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PL
SUBJECT: SECOND SOFA PLENARY CONCLUDES AMID POSITIVE
ATMOSPHERE
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (SBU) U.S. and Polish delegations convened in Warsaw
October 6-8 for the second plenary round of negotiations on
the supplemental bilateral SOFA. Deputy Defense Minister
Stanislaw Komorowski and Deputy Foreign Minister
Andrzej Kremer led the Polish delegation. PM Senior Advisor
Ambassador Jackson McDonald headed the U.S. team consisting
of State and DOD representatives (PM, L/PM, JCS, MDA, EUCOM,
and U.S. Embassy Warsaw).
2. (SBU) The negotiations took place in a cordial,
professional, and constructive atmosphere. The parties
agreed on most of the language of the preamble and spent
considerable time on definitions. They reviewed about
two-thirds of the U.S. and Polish drafts, concentrating in
particular on use of airspace, seaports, and airports;
military exercises; entry and exit of U.S. personnel;
criminal jurisdiction; discipline of U.S. forces; wearing of
uniforms; use of firearms; and financial matters.
3. (SBU) Given the differences on many provisions, the sides
agreed to convene working groups on criminal jurisdiction,
labor, the environment, and claims the week of October 20-24
in Warsaw, subject to availability of experts. The next
plenary session will be held November 3-5 in Washington, with
a subsequent session proposed for either November 19-20 or
December 3-5 in Warsaw.
4. (C) COMMENT. After refusing to engage in SOFA
negotiations for 15 months, the Poles now appear eager to
proceed. Given the lost time and the wide differences
between the U.S. and Polish positions on many provisions of
the SOFA, it appears that these negotiations may be rather
protracted. END COMMENT.
ASHE
SIPDIS
EUR/CE FOR MORRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PL
SUBJECT: SECOND SOFA PLENARY CONCLUDES AMID POSITIVE
ATMOSPHERE
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (SBU) U.S. and Polish delegations convened in Warsaw
October 6-8 for the second plenary round of negotiations on
the supplemental bilateral SOFA. Deputy Defense Minister
Stanislaw Komorowski and Deputy Foreign Minister
Andrzej Kremer led the Polish delegation. PM Senior Advisor
Ambassador Jackson McDonald headed the U.S. team consisting
of State and DOD representatives (PM, L/PM, JCS, MDA, EUCOM,
and U.S. Embassy Warsaw).
2. (SBU) The negotiations took place in a cordial,
professional, and constructive atmosphere. The parties
agreed on most of the language of the preamble and spent
considerable time on definitions. They reviewed about
two-thirds of the U.S. and Polish drafts, concentrating in
particular on use of airspace, seaports, and airports;
military exercises; entry and exit of U.S. personnel;
criminal jurisdiction; discipline of U.S. forces; wearing of
uniforms; use of firearms; and financial matters.
3. (SBU) Given the differences on many provisions, the sides
agreed to convene working groups on criminal jurisdiction,
labor, the environment, and claims the week of October 20-24
in Warsaw, subject to availability of experts. The next
plenary session will be held November 3-5 in Washington, with
a subsequent session proposed for either November 19-20 or
December 3-5 in Warsaw.
4. (C) COMMENT. After refusing to engage in SOFA
negotiations for 15 months, the Poles now appear eager to
proceed. Given the lost time and the wide differences
between the U.S. and Polish positions on many provisions of
the SOFA, it appears that these negotiations may be rather
protracted. END COMMENT.
ASHE