START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA

S E C R E T GENEVA 001014 SIPDIS DEPT FOR T, VC AND EUR/PRA DOE FOR NNSA/NA-24 CIA FOR WINPAC JCS FOR J5/DDGSA SECDEF FOR OSD(P)/STRATCAP NAVY FOR CNO-N5JA AND DIRSSP AIRFORCE FOR HQ USAF/ASX AND ASXP DTRA FOR OP-OS OP-OSA AND DIRECTOR NSC FOR LOOK DIA FOR LEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019 TAGS: KACT MARR PARM PREL RS US START SUBJECT: START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA (SFO-GVA-VII): (U) HEADS OF DELEGATION COFFEE, NOVEMBER 9, 2009 REF: GENEVA 0976 (SFO-GVA-VI-037) Classified By: A/S Rose E. Gottemoeller, United States START Negotiator. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is SFO-GVA-VII-001. ¶2. (U) Meeting Date: November 9, 2009 Time: 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. Place: Russian Mission, Geneva -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶3. (S) At the November 9, 2009 Heads of Delegation (HOD) coffee hosted by Russian HOD, Ambassador Antonov, differences over counting rules and plans for next steps on the Notification Protocol were briefly discussed, as were the upcoming meeting in Singapore between President Obama and President Medvedev, the visit of Codel Feinstein, the meeting schedule for the next several days and the willingness by the Russians to sign a treaty in early December while also noting the work that remains. ¶4. (U) Subject Summary: Observations from Moscow; Counting Rules and Notification Protocol; Focus on Finishing; Summit in Singapore; Codel Feinstein; and, Signing Ceremony. -------------- OBSERVATIONS FROM MOSCOW -------------- ¶5. (S) After a discussion of scheduling of the various working group meetings for the next several days, Antonov reported that President Medvedev had told him that the delegation "had to do its best" to be ready to sign the treaty when President Obama comes to Europe in December. He added that if there were disagreements, the Presidents could help. He reported his pleasure that his President had read the delegation's cables. When in Moscow, Antonov said, he had met Foreign Minister Lavrov and Defense Minister Serdyukov. He hoped, he said, to get additional instructions soon to speed up the process of completing the treaty. -------------- COUNTING RULES AND NOTIFICATION PROTOCOL -------------- ¶6. (S) Antonov observed that, absent a breakthrough on counting rules, there would be no compromise text. Antonov turned to Deputy HOD Col Ilin to comment on the counting rule disagreement. Ilin said that the counting of bombers remains an issue and that there still is Russian interest in a separate limit for launchers. He noted that the question remains as to factually what is considered a deployed versus non-deployed strategic system. Dr. Warner acknowledged the fundamental difference in the sides' approach and it was agreed that counting rules would be the focus of the November 10 Ad Hoc Group meeting. ¶7. (S) Antonov noted that the United States needs to present its views on the Notification Protocol and said that, in general, it will be difficult for Moscow to consider any new ideas in time to move to the conforming stage. Gottemoeller said that Mr. Siemon, head of the U.S. Notification Working Group, will present the U.S.-proposed Notification Protocol on Wednesday. -------------- FOCUS ON FINISHING -------------- ¶8. (S) Antonov said he and Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller needed to decide when they are to finish negotiations and concentrate on conforming. If there is no progress on hard issues, there cannot be a treaty by December 5. He said that in Moscow the Russian Delegation had spent the whole week intensively discussing the U.S. package (REFTEL). The Russian response was decided at the highest level and changes would need to be considered at that level. ¶9. (S) Gottemoeller said progress depends on whether the Russian side accepts the package, although there was some flexibility on the verification regime and work was needed in Geneva to finish the offensive and defensive systems issue. Antonov commented that if the Russians accepted everything it would be like capitulation in war. He claimed the Russians had looked at the proposals "constructively," picking out positive elements. Gottemoeller said that the U.S. side was looking forward to hearing the Russian response at that day's plenary (REFTEL). -------------- SUMMIT IN SINGAPORE -------------- ¶10. (S) Gottemoeller reported that President Obama is very willing to engage with President Medvedev on START issues when they meet in Singapore on November 15. Antonov responded that President Medvedev knows a lot about the negotiations and has been discussing the issues regularly with Ministers Serdyukov and Lavrov. Antonov said he would like to host a reception next week to celebrate the "excellent outcome of the Singapore Summit," noting that when our Presidents meet, it goes without saying that it will go well. -------------- CODEL FEINSTEIN -------------- ¶11. (S) The upcoming visit of Senators Dianne Feinstein and Jon Kyl, November 11-13, was discussed. Antonov said he would host the visiting delegation for lunch on November 12. He also said he had discussed the visit of the senators with Ambassador Kislyak, who told him to be flexible. -------------- SIGNING CEREMONY -------------- ¶12. (S) Antonov repeated President Medvedev's willingness to sign the treaty the first week of December, but also noted the need for a breakthrough on certain issues including counting rules. He said that Moscow will send additional legal resources to Geneva including the deputy director of the MFA legal department, Dmitry Anatol'evich Lobach'. Inna Kotkova, who had been with the Russian SFO Delegation for most of the previous rounds, would join the delegation again in two weeks' time. ¶13. (U) Documents exchanged. None. ¶14. (U) Participants: U.S. A/S Gottemoeller Amb Ries Dr. Warner Ms. Kirchgasser RUSSIA Amb Antonov Mr. Koshelev Col Ilin ¶15. (U) Gottemoeller sends. GRIFFITHS