Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRETORIA1537
2009-07-29 12:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:  

SOUTH AFRICA: DEMARCHE ON RESULTS OF U.S.-RUSSIA

Tags:  PREL PGOV AORC KNNP MNUC PARM NPT RS SF 
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DE RUEHSA #1537 2101229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291229Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0601
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9185
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0321
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS PRETORIA 001537 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC KNNP MNUC PARM NPT RS SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: DEMARCHE ON RESULTS OF U.S.-RUSSIA
PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT

REF: STATE 71326

Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please protect accordingly.

UNCLAS PRETORIA 001537

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC KNNP MNUC PARM NPT RS SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: DEMARCHE ON RESULTS OF U.S.-RUSSIA
PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT

REF: STATE 71326

Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please protect accordingly.


1. (U) Guidance Request. Please see paragraph four.


1. (SBU) Summary: Acting Pol Counselor delivered reftel
demarche to South African Department of International
Relations and Cooperation (DICO) Russia and U.S. Desk
Officers and repeated key points in a subsequent meeting with
the outgoing and incoming DICO Directors for Nuclear
Nonproliferation and Disarmament. The South African
officials were cautiously optimistic that the recent
U.S.-Russia Summit may also signal a more productive climate
for multilateral disarmament and nonproliferation
discussions. DICO regional officials gave us a heads up that
South African President Jacob Zuma is planning a visit to
Moscow. DICO nonproliferation colleagues asked for guidance
on U.S. verification policy. End summary.


2. (SBU) On July 20, Acting POL Counselor met with DICO
Russia Desk Officer Simon Cardy and U.S. Desk Officer Fransie
Cooper to discuss reftel demarche points. The DICO officials
said President Jacob Zuma is planning a trip to Moscow in the
near future (no date given). Asked for reactions to the
Summit, Cardy said that for South Africa, President Obama's
visit to Russia was seen as welcome change in tone from a
period in U.S.-Russia relations that South Africa considered
overly confrontational. Cardy welcomed the U.S.- Russia
agreement to reduce nuclear stockpiles and resume START
negotiations as a sign that there is commitment on both sides
to move forward on international security issues. Reaffirming
South Africa's commitment to multilateral mechanisms, Cardy
said it was too soon to tell whether the new spirit of
U.S-Russia cooperation on nonproliferation would have an
impact on Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and other
multilateral talks.


4. (SBU) In a July 23 farewell meeting with outgoing DICO
Deputy Director for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament
Michiel Combrink and his replacement Johann Kellerman, POL
again raised reftel points. Combrink and Kellerman welcomed
progress on U.S.-Russia arms reduction, but they echoed the
skepticism of their DICO colleagues that such progress would
necessarily translate into forward movement on multilateral
mechanisms, including the NPT. Combrink said he understood
that there may be a review underway of U.S. policy on
verification and he asked for an update. Action request:
Post would be grateful for guidance to share with South
African officials on the latest thinking on verification
policy.
CONNERS