RUSSIA AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON INTERNATIONAL WHALING

UNCLAS MOSCOW 001492

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OPA LISA PHELPS
COPENHAGEN FOR ERIK HALL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS KSCA PREL SENV IWC RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA AGREES WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON INTERNATIONAL WHALING
COMMISSION

REF: STATE 57020

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: One of Russia's two representatives to the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) told Post that Russia fully
supports U.S. positions for the upcoming IWC meeting in Madeira.
Specifically, the government of Russia (GOR) favors continuing the
"Future of the IWC" process to reach a consensus package,
restricting NGO and other outside participation to an observer role,
and limiting the number of countries involved in IWC meetings. The
delegation has not yet decided whom to support for the positions of
IWC Chair and Vice-Chair. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU)On June 5, Vasiliy Titushkin of the MFA Legal Department,
one of Russia's two representatives to the IWC, told Post's
Environment Specialist that Russia fully agrees with U.S. positions
for the upcoming IWC meeting. Russia's second commissioner,
Valentin Ilyashenko of the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Ecology, is already in Madeira for the IWC meeting and could not be
reached for comment. Titushkin did not yet know whether he would
attend the meeting.


3. (SBU) Titushkin said that the GOR favors continuing the "Future
of the IWC" discussions with the aim of achieving a consensus
package. He added that if a other IWC members can agree on a
compromise solution, Russia will not block it. Russia supports
continuing the IWC's work, especially its role in preserving
aboriginal subsistence whaling.


4. (SBU) Titushkin noted that Russia favors limiting the role of
NGOs and other outside observers in IWC meetings. The IWC should
remain an intergovernmental organization, he said, in accordance
with its original purpose. He said that some NGOs have actively
interfered in the decision-making process and have tried to force
their opinions upon governments. However, he said, Russia is not
opposed to an observer role for NGOs, as long as it does not involve
active participation.


5. (SBU) Russia favors limiting the number of countries that
participate in IWC discussions. Titushkin commented that, as a
rule, decisions should be made by a smaller working group of the
most influential countries and those with a vested interest in a
given discussion. Wider participation greatly increases the
complexity of the process.


6. (SBU) Russia still has no favored candidates for the positions of
IWC Chair and Vice-Chair. Titushkin explained that the Russian
delegation will decide at the meeting whom to support based upon the
results of discussions.

BEYRLE