COMMEMORATING THE SUCCESS OF THE START TREATY'S

S E C R E T STATE 115554

SIPDIS - GENEVA FOR JCIC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2029
TAGS: PARM KACT START RS US KZ UP BO
SUBJECT: COMMEMORATING THE SUCCESS OF THE START TREATY'S
INSPECTION REGIME

(U)Classified By: Jerry A. Taylor, Director, VCI/SI.
Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d)

REFS: A) Leahy/Petrov Conversation, September 11, 2009
B) Leahy/Yel'tsov Conversation, October 3, 2009
C) Leahy/Yel'tsov Conversation, October 21, 2009


1. (U) This is an action request for Moscow and Geneva
(see paragraph 6).


2. (S) BACKGROUND. Recent discussions between officials
at the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the
Russian Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (RNRRC) indicate
that the RNRRC intends to host a ceremonial event in
Moscow to commemorate the success of the START Treaty's
inspection regime. In a conversation with Mr. Leahy,
Deputy Chief of the START Division of DTRA (Ref A),COL
Petrov, the Chief of the START Division at the RNRRC,
repeated remarks made earlier by COL Ryzhkov, the Acting
Director of the RNRRC, who had stated that the Russian
Federation intended on commemorating 15 years of
inspections under START when the last U.S. inspection team
completed its mission in Moscow. Ryzhkov suggested a team
of former directors or "veterans" of the inspection regime
conduct the last inspections, and noted that the
inspection itself should not be conducted at a "difficult"
site. He had also asked whether the United States would
be hosting an event in conjunction with the final Russian
inspection in the United States. Similar events were used
to commemorate the completion of the INF inspection regime
in 2001. Petrov stated that the RNRRC would look at time
frames and communicate their intentions through diplomatic
channels. The RNRRC considered coordination necessary to
ensure that the final U.S. and Russian inspections did not
occur at the same time and did not conflict with Russian
or U.S. holidays.


3. (S) Additional discussions held between Mr. Leahy and
CAPT Yel'tsov, Russian START Team Chief, during
inspections in the United States on October 3 and 21 (Refs
B and C),focused on more specific information related to
these commemoration activities. Specifically, the
following concept was discussed:

- The main commemorations should occur in Moscow and
Washington during the visit of each side's last START
inspection. The last inspection teams transiting through
the points of entry (POEs) at Travis and Ulan Ude could
also commemorate those events; however, they would remain
local-level affairs.

- The time frame for the final inspection will be
formally announced in advance so that planning for the
ceremonies can be accomplished. The current plan for the
last U.S. inspection is for the team to arrive in Moscow
on November 17 and be completed with the inspection and
return to Moscow on November 19. Yel'tsov informed Leahy
that the final Russian inspection team will arrive at the
Washington POE on November 30 and depart on December 4,

2009.


- Ceremonies in connection with Votkinsk monitoring will
be discussed between Dept 162 and U.S. monitors on site.


4. (S) Yel'tsov commented that the Russian Federation
plans to conduct its final inspection through the Travis
POE on or about November 12. He also stated that the
Russian Federation will continue to inspect converted B-1
bombers, and that this could add some complication to the
scheduling of the "last" inspection through the Travis
POE.


5. (S) Washington concurs in the commemoration concept as
discussed between DTRA and RNRRC representatives. We
believe the purpose of such a commemoration should be to
recognize the successful implementation of START and the
significant contributions of the implementers to this
effort. Washington additionally believes that the other
three START Parties, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine,
should also be invited to participate in ceremonial events
in Moscow and Washington. Washington does not believe
they need to be invited to participate in actual
inspections. Washington has prepared a paper for the
Russian Government that provides additional information
regarding U.S. views and proposals associated with
conducting commemorative events in Russia and the United
States.


6. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: FOR MOSCOW: Embassy Moscow
should deliver to appropriate host government officials
the text of the paper in paragraph 7. Washington will
provide Embassy a courtesy Russian-language translation of
the paper in paragraph 7. Embassy is further requested to
confirm, via cable to Washington the delivery of the
paper, the name and office of the official to whom it was
delivered, the date of delivery, and any comment or
reaction provided at that time. FOR GENEVA: On the
margins of the START Follow-on (SFO) Treaty negotiations,
the JCIC Representative is requested to deliver a courtesy
copy of this paper to the Russian SFO Delegation.


7. (S) Begin text (Releasable to Russia):

November 9, 2009


Commemoration of the START Treaty's Inspection Regime

- Recent discussions between officials of the U.S.
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Russian
Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (RNRRC) indicate that the
Russian Federation intends to commemorate the START Treaty
inspection regime through a RNRRC-hosted ceremonial event
in Moscow coincident with the last START inspection
conducted by the United States in the Russian Federation.

- The United States agrees with this concept and intends
for DTRA to conduct a similar ceremonial event in
Washington, D.C., following the final Russian START
inspection. Additionally, however, the United States
believes that Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, as START
Parties, should also be invited to send representatives to
these events.

- With regard to timing for these ceremonial events:

-- The United States agrees with the Russian
Federation that the Moscow and Washington, D.C. events be
scheduled so that attendance at one event does not
preclude attendance at another, and also so that they do
not conflict with Russian and U.S. holidays.

-- To that end, the United States wishes to
inform the Russian Federation that it has scheduled its
final START Inspection team to arrive at the Moscow point
of entry (POE) on November 17, 2009. Barring unforeseen
circumstances, the U.S. inspection team would return to
the Moscow POE on November 19. In light of this schedule,
the United States proposes that the Moscow ceremonial
event take place on November 20. The United States
requests that several U.S. officials and veterans of START
implementation who will not travel with the inspection
team be included in the Moscow commemoration. The United
States will pay all expenses for these individuals and
arrange logistical needs through the U.S. Embassy,
Moscow. Names will be provided at a later date.

-- With regard to the Washington, D.C.
commemoration, the United States is planning a ceremonial
event on December 3. If the Russian Federation would also
like several START veterans or officials not on the
inspection team to attend these ceremonies, those
personnel would be welcome.

-- In order to facilitate the completion of
necessary logistical requirements, the United States
requests that the Russian Federation provide its
concurrence with these dates as soon as possible, to
include confirmation of the date for the Moscow event.
Further, the United States believes each Party should
provide the names of those personnel, not on the
inspection teams, who will attend the events scheduled.
Such lists should be provided at least 14 days in advance
of the event so that visas may be obtained if needed.

- As stated above, the United States believes all START
Parties should have an opportunity to participate in the
commemorative events in capitals. We intend to invite
Belarusian, Kazakhstani, and Ukrainian representatives
stationed in Washington to Washington events. We urge the
Russian Federation to invite representatives of Belarus,
Kazakhstan, and Ukraine to participate in the events in
Moscow.

- Finally, as the United States intends these events to
be private, we do not plan to invite press to these
events.

- The United States looks forward to recognizing the
successful implementation of START and the significant
contributions of the implementers to this effort by
commemorating the completion of this successful and
well-implemented Treaty with the Russian Federation.

End Text.
CLINTON