RUSSIA ON NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 002187 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MNSA, GENEVA FOR CD, UNVIE FOR IAEA, USUN FOR POL, USNATO FOR POL, AND USEU FOR POL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2019 TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA IAEA, NPT, RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA ON NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT) REVIEW CONFERENCE 2010 REF: A. STATE 83600 ¶B. MOSCOW 423 ¶C. MOSCOW 2121 Classified By: Acting Political M/C David Kostelancik. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Russian MFA, MOD, and RosAtom are the GOR entities most heavily involved with nonproliferation issues, including the NPT. The MFA leads the interagency process, with the Prime Minister's office issuing the final orders (with little Kremlin involvement). Russia works most closely with P5 states on nonproliferation issues, and is supportive of international nonproliferation efforts. We were told it was still too early to know exactly what positions the GOR will take on nonproliferation issues at upcoming international fora, such as the UNGA First Committee. Russian Embassies and Missions abroad gather information on nonproliferation issues. There are few think-tanks in Russia that work on nonproliferation efforts, but the PIR Center and Aleksey Arbatov of the Moscow Carnegie Center are sometimes consulted for advice. End summary. -------------- The Major Players -------------- ¶2. (C) On August 21 we delivered ref A demarche to MFA DVBR Counselor Oleg Postnikov who told us the MFA, MOD, and RosAtom were the GOR entities most involved with nonproliferation issues, including the NPT. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology and the Federal Service for Export Controls are also involved in NPT issues. The MFA led the interagency process and drafted most of the white papers, Postnikov said. Postnikov declined to name important decision makers in any of these entities. ¶3. (C) Postnikov told us these GOR entities coordinate via the interagency process at the Ministerial level and then forward all proposals to the Prime Minister's (PM) office. The PM's office issues orders to ministries and agencies that contain policy guidance and instructions, such as who will head delegations and how to vote at meetings. Postnikov told us the Kremlin has very little to do with NPT issues. -------------- P5 Partnerships Are Key -------------- ¶4. (C) Postnikov told us the GOR works most closely with P5 states on NPT and other arms control issues. -------------- GOR Supports Arms Control Efforts -------------- ¶5. (C) According to Postnikov, the GOR supports arms control efforts and the GOR would like to see the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty process reinvigorated. He added that it was too early to determine exactly what positions the GOR would take at upcoming disarmament fora, such as the UNGA First (Disarmament) Conference. -------------- Embassies Gather Information -------------- ¶6. (C) Postnikov told us that Russian Embassies and Missions primarily gather information and pass it to the MFA. The MFA often sends staff to augment personnel in missions during key meetings. -------------- Little Think-Tank Involvement -------------- ¶7. (C) Postnikov pointed out that very few think-tanks in Russia work on nonproliferation issues. Occasionally the MFA MOSCOW 00002187 002 OF 002 consults the Center for Political Research of Russia (PIR Center) in Moscow for advice, as well as Aleksey Arbatov of the Moscow Carnegie Center. Other NGOs and the nuclear power industry do not play a significant role in GOR policy. Beyrle