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