Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GENEVA992
2009-11-06 17:23:00
SECRET
Mission Geneva
Cable title:  

START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA (SFO-GVA-VI):

Tags:  KACT MARR PARM PREL RS US START 
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VZCZCXYZ0018
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGV #0992/01 3101723
ZNY SSSS ZZH
O 061723Z NOV 09
FM USMISSION GENEVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0078
RUEAIIA/CI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON C IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/VCJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/OINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NATIONL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5341
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE IMMEDIATE
RUENAAA/CNO WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/DIRSSP WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 2518
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 1527
RUEHMO/AMEBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 6714
S E C R E T GENEVA 000992 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR T,VCI AND EUR/PRA
DOE FOR NNSA/NA-24
CIA FOR WINAC
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: 09/21/2019
TAGS: KACT MARR PARM PREL RS US START
SUBJECT: START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA (SFO-GVA-VI):
(S) REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE 008 CHANGE IN CONVERSION OF
ELIMINATION WINDOW FROM 20 DAYS TO 30 DAYS

REF: A. STATE 107748 (SFO-VI-GUIDANCE-001)

B. GENEVA 0944 (SFO-GVA-VI-014)

Classified By: A/S Rose E. Gottemoeller, United States
START Negotiator. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d).

S E C R E T GENEVA 000992

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR T,VCI AND EUR/PRA
DOE FOR NNSA/NA-24
CIA FOR WINAC
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: 09/21/2019
TAGS: KACT MARR PARM PREL RS US START
SUBJECT: START FOLLOW-ON NEGOTIATIONS, GENEVA (SFO-GVA-VI):
(S) REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE 008 CHANGE IN CONVERSION OF
ELIMINATION WINDOW FROM 20 DAYS TO 30 DAYS

REF: A. STATE 107748 (SFO-VI-GUIDANCE-001)

B. GENEVA 0944 (SFO-GVA-VI-014)

Classified By: A/S Rose E. Gottemoeller, United States
START Negotiator. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) This is SFO-GVA-VI-053. Request for Guidance -- 008.

--------------
SUMMARY AND GUIDANCE REQUESTED
--------------


2. (S) Current U.S. guidance (Ref A) directs the use of a
20-day inspection window, that is, the inspecting Party is
allotted 20 days to carry out an inspection following the
completion of the conversion or elimination process. No
inspections are permitted after expiration of the specified
inspection window. The Russian Delegation has presented a
proposal to use a standardized 30-day inspection window after
either side conducts an applicable conversion or elimination.
(Ref B) Delegation recommends acceptance of the Russian
proposal for a 30-day inspection window for applicable
conversion and elimination procedures. Background and
analysis are in paragraphs 3-6. Delegation recommendation is
in paragraph 7.

--------------
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
--------------


3. (S) The U.S.-proposed Conversion or Elimination Protocol
establishes inspection windows for many conversion and
elimination procedures. For example, such windows are set
forth for inspections associated with the verification by NTM
of the elimination of several items such as silo launchers of
ICBMs, SLBM launchers, and SOA-related facilities, and for
the verification of conversions of heavy bombers and SLBM
launchers.


4. (S) Current guidance states "For inspections to confirm
the completion of elimination and conversion procedures,
delegation should standardize the U.S. proposal to a 20-day
inspection window in all cases."


5. (S) In their initial and subsequent proposals, the
Russian side has called for a standard 30-day inspection
window following the completion of most conversion or
elimination processes (Ref B).


6. (S) Delegation believes the change from 20 days to 30
days would provide greater flexibility in bringing U.S.
assets to bear to inspect the results of conversions and
eliminations conducted by Russia and would not produce
negative effects on current U.S conversion or elimination
practices.

--------------
RECOMMENDATIONS
--------------


7. Delegation recommends Washington provide authorization to
accept the Russian proposal for specifying a standard 30-day
inspection window following the conversion or elimination of


SOA other than mobile ICBMs and mobile ICBM launchers.
Delegation recommends not adopting at this time an inspection
window for the elimination of mobile ICBMs and their
launchers pending reaching agreement regarding the procedures
for these items.

--------------
GUIDANCE REQUESTED
--------------


8. Delegation requests Washington approve the use of a
standardized 30-day inspection/verification window for
conversion or elimination of SOA except ICBMs for mobile
launchers of ICBMs and mobile launchers of ICBMs.


9. Ries sends

xx. (U) Gottemoeller sends.
GRIFFITHS