CODEL LEVIN MEETS MARGELOV -- MD, Iran, Afghanistan, DPRK,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 001021


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KNNP OREP RS
SUBJECT: CODEL LEVIN MEETS MARGELOV -- MD, Iran, Afghanistan, DPRK,
NPT, Sudan


1. (SBU) Summary: In an April 14 meeting with CODEL Levin, Russian
Federation Council International Relations Committee Chair Mikhail
Margelov said momentum on missile defense had been lost when the
U.S. did not take up Russia on its offer on using the Gabala and
Armavir radar stations, but stated that Russia's military experts
were ready to propose some "realistic options" for the creation of a
joint missile defense shield. He described Russia's suspension of
the transfer of S-300 missiles to Iran as a "strong signal" to
Teheran, but urged that the U.S. could make it stronger by
responding positively to the Russian overture. Arguing that
sanctions were ineffective, Margelov suggested that jointly
developing a "Marshall Plan" to revive Afghanistan's economy could
serve as an example to Iran to seek Western integration, while
reiterating Russia's position that Iran could develop a civil
nuclear program, as long as it accepted to "play by the IAEA's
rules." Margelov criticized the DPRK for "not understanding Russia
and China's charitable approach" in preventing a UN Security Council
Resolution condemning the recent North Korean missile launch, and
urged the U.S. to press China to share its intelligence on the
DPRK's nuclear weapons program. In order to improve U.S.-Russia
relations, Margelov advocated for an intensified meeting schedule,
the renewal of the START and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaties, the
reduction of anti-Russian tendencies in "New Europe," and
cooperation in Sudan and Somalia. End summary.

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Missile Defense
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2. (SBU) In an April 14 meeting with Russian Federation Council
Internal Relations Committee Chair Mikhail Margelov, Senators Carl
Levin (D-Mi) and Bill Nelson (D-Fl) noted the U.S. interest in
cooperating with Russia on missile defense (MD),but cautioned
Margelov that Bush administration commitments to the Czech Republic
and Poland could not simply be laid aside. Margelov responded that
momentum on MD had been lost when the U.S. did not take Russia up on
its offer to include the Gabala and Armavir radar stations in the MD
effort. However, he said working together on MD was "a must," and
stated that Russia's military experts were now ready to propose new
options for a joint missile shield.

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Iran nuclear program
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3. (SBU) Margelov underscored that Russia agreed with the U.S. on
the substance of rejecting a nuclear-armed Iran, even though the GOR
differed on the method of achieving that goal. He said Russia had
made an important political decision to work with the U.S. when it
sent the Iranian Defense Minister home without S-300 missiles, even
though it was a defensive system. This had sent a strong signal to
the U.S. Margelov confirmed that the suspension of the S-300 sale
was "firm," but said it could be firmer still if the U.S. made a
positive response. Otherwise, it would be viewed in Moscow as
another example of Russia "moving one step forward," with no
corresponding acknowledgment by Washington.


4. (SBU) Noting articles reporting President Medvedev's "surprise"
at the progress of Iran's nuclear program, as expressed to President
Obama and Henry Kissinger, Senator Levin asked why the U.S. had to
persuade Russia to adopt a stronger position in the UN even though
Iran posed a greater threat to Russia, due to its proximity.
Margelov responded that both Prime Minister Putin and Medvedev had
repeatedly stated they "would not accept", "not be happy with," and
"not allow" a nuclear-armed Iran, but argued that sanctions were
ineffective.


5. (SBU) Responding to Senator Nelson's question how the
U.S.-Russia cooperation could dissuade Iran from developing nuclear
weapons, Margelov suggested that jointly solving the problems in
Afghanistan and developing a "Marshall Plan" to revive that
country's economy could serve as an example to Iran to seek Western
integration.


6. (SBU) In reaction to Senator Nelson's comment on President
Obama's possible acceptance of Iran's civil nuclear program under
the condition that international inspections could verify no
weaponization was taking place, Margelov said it had been Russia's
policy for the past eight years that Iran could develop civil
nuclear plants such as Bushehr, as long as it "played by the IAEA's
rules."


7. (SBU) Noting his background in oriental studies and recent trips

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to Egypt, Lebanon, and Qatar, Margelov said the Iraq war had
deprived Iran of a counterbalance, allowing it to "do what it wanted
to" with the Shia and even Hizbollah in the Middle East in its
attempt to "dominate" the region. Iran was even actively supporting
the Tashnak political party in Armenia. This, Margelov said, was
seen by many in Russia as "an insult," since Moscow considered
Armenia to be "in Russia's back yard."

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DPRK Missile Launch
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8. (SBU) Margelov criticized the DPRK for "not understanding Russia
and China's charitable approach" in preventing a UN Security Council
Resolution condemning the recent North Korean missile launch.
Margelov said the missile launch was "more painful" for Russia due
to its common border with the DPRK and memories of the last Taepo
Dong launch, when the missile flew toward the coast of Russia.
Margelov agreed with Senator Levin's assessment that North Korea
took the international attention as a sign it could "manipulate us,"
and suggested the GOR should request immediate consultations with
all Six-Party members and press China to share its intelligence on
where the DPRK was storing its suspected nuclear warheads. However,
he stated the U.S. had more levers it could apply to China than
Russia. Margelov considered the South Korean government "too
scared" to play a significant role.

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U.S.-Russia relations: post-START, Sudan
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9. (SBU) Margelov expressed "cautious optimism" that the change in
administration in the U.S. would benefit "pragmatic" U.S.-Russia
relations, and called for the development of a substantive bilateral
agenda to back up the good intentions on each side. In this context
he noted the upcoming visit of Senator Ben Nelson to Moscow to
co-chair the next U.S.-Russian Federation Parliamentary Council
meeting. Margelov advocated for the speedy resumption of "2 plus 2"
talks, and underscored the need to renew the START and Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaties. He urged the U.S. to work with the EU
on convincing countries in "New Europe" that pro-Americanism was not
equal to being anti-Russia, and commented that "while the Soviet
Union made mistakes, if we always insist on recalling history, we
will come to sad conclusions." Noting his appointment as the GOR's
special representative for Sudan, Margelov suggested that the U.S.
and Russia work together on "failed states and continents." In
addition to Sudan issues, he proposed developing a joint mechanism
for maritime security to combat phenomena such as the piracy off the
coast of Somalia, and suggested the U.S. and Russia should work
together more on Africa issues, including Somalia generally, not
just piracy.


10. (U) Codel Levin cleared this cable.

RUBIN