START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA

S E C R E T GENEVA 001014

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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

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SUMMARY
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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.

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OBSERVATIONS FROM MOSCOW
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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.

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COUNTING RULES AND
NOTIFICATION PROTOCOL
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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.

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FOCUS ON FINISHING
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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).

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SUMMIT IN SINGAPORE
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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.

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CODEL FEINSTEIN
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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.

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SIGNING CEREMONY
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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