YAVLINSKIY'S POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 001742

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ((PARA NUMBERS))

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KDEM RS
SUBJECT: YAVLINSKIY'S POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE
OBAMA-MEDVEDEV SUMMIT

REF: 08 MOSCOW 3288

Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle; Reason: 1.4 (d).


1. (C) Summary: On July 1, Ambassador Beyrle met with
former Yabloko leader Grigoriy Yavlinskiy prior to the
Obama-Medvedev summit to hear his views on U.S.-Russian
relations, as well as his thoughts on how the U.S. should
best approach bilateral relations. His top five
recommendations pertained to Ukraine, the Anti-Ballistic
Missile (ABM) treaty, Afghanistan, Russian internal issues,
and disarmament. End Summary.

Yavlinskiy's Russian Foreign Policy Recommendations
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2. (C) Yavlinskiy recommended that President Obama focus on
five top foreign policy goals during the July 6-8 summit,
which he described as a key moment to make progress in
U.S.-Russian relations. Yavlinskiy recounted his June 11
meeting with President Medvedev to discuss his
recommendations, noting that Medvedev was not on board with
them. Nevertheless, he argued that "Obama opened the door
for dialogue" and these issues were important in debates
between the two presidents. Yavlinskiy stressed that the
main problem between the two countries is a lack of
understanding, which is needed before the two can cooperate.



3. (C) Yavlinskiy expounded on the five most important
issues -- Ukraine, ABM, Afghanistan, Russian internal issues,
and disarmament -- as follows:

-- The first practical step in improving relations is for the
two presidents to make an agreement on Ukraine, guaranteeing
its independence and territory. The problems in Ukraine
today are "more substantial" than what happened in Georgia
and the presidents must agree on this issue prior to making
progress in other areas.

-- The two countries should review ABM. There is a lot of
incorrect information about this subject and both sides
should work to create a technical group. He suggested each
side provide 50 technical experts who could then report back
to their respective countries.

-- The U.S. should articulate that it needs Russia's help on
Afghanistan. Yavlinskiy stated that "some U.S. allies" are
trafficking drugs.

-- The U.S. should state explicitly that it will not
interfere in Russia's internal affairs. Obama would be very
influential during the visit if he emphasizes that Russia
will never overcome corruption without law, civil society, or
an independent media.

-- The issue of disarmament is tactical, but it is also a
measure of trust. The difference of military potential is
also dramatic and unbalanced in that the U.S. has more
weapons.

Yavlinskiy's Strategy for U.S. Approach Towards Russia
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4. (C) Yavlinskiy formulated a strategy for a new U.S.
approach to Russia, based on discussions with Putin and
Medvedev. He urged President Obama to consider using seven
tactics as follows during this "special moment" to make
change:

-- The U.S. must stop treating Russia like it is an
"undeveloped America." Russia is a country that is
qualitatively different from America.

-- It would be instructive to review U.S.-Russian relations
in the 1970s and 1980s when there was a convergence of ideas.
This period was during the Cold War, but then Gorbachev came
to power, U.S.-Russia relations improved, and ultimately the
Cold War ended.

-- The U.S. needs to once again prioritize Russia. There
should be very wide cooperation between both countries.

-- It would be useful for the U.S. to explain how it sees
Russia's role in 50 years. Russia is going through an
identity crisis, so it would be beneficial to support
Russia's leadership by articulating that America has no doubt
that Russia will have a significant role in the future.


MOSCOW 00001742 002 OF 002


-- It is necessary to have common political standards,
despite differences. There should be more norms and
standards between the two countries.

-- The U.S. should put its house in order and set an example
to the rest of the world. It should articulate that it will
not mettle in Russia's internal affairs.

-- Obama should say that Russia is a great country, but add a
probing question about how the Russians are experiencing
certain social problems, such as mentioning the early age at
which people are dying compared to citizens in other
developed nations.

Comment
--------------


5. (C) Yavlinskiy is an opposition leader with access, if
not influence, within the Kremlin. Although he stepped down
in 2008 as Yabloko's chairman, he remains the party's most
credible voice on foreign relations.

BEYRLE