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

S E C R E T GENEVA 000993 SIPDIS DEPT FOR T, VCI 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: 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 OR 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. (S) 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. (S) 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. (U) Ries sends GRIFFITHS