JANUARY 27 MEETING OF THE G-8 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 011918 NSC FOR JOYCE CONNERY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC KNNP CBW TRGY GM JA RS CA UK FR IT SUBJECT: JANUARY 27 MEETING OF THE G-8 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WORKING GROUP (GPWG) IN ROME Classified By: ISN/CTR DIRECTOR MATTHIAS MITMAN, REASONS 1.4, (B, D, E, H) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At the first G8 Global Partnership Working Group (GPWG) meeting of the Italian 2009 G8 Presidency, Chair Gianluca Alberini outlined a program of work that included the two main G8 Global Partnership (GP) objectives agreed to at the 2008 G8 Summit: (a) completing current G8 Global Partnership commitments in Russia/Former Soviet Union (FSU),and (b) expanding GP's geographic focus to address emerging global WMD threats. USDEL held bilateral meetings with G8 partners to discuss concrete mechanisms to implement GP geographic expansion and recruit new GP partners in 2009. Most G8 members strongly supported Italy's focus on implementing GP expansion, emphasizing scientist engagement activities worldwide and promoting global biological engagement. Only Russia was isolated in expressing a strong view that GP expansion would jeopardize already lagging pledges from some GP partners (e.g. Italy, France, Japan). Overall, Italy agreed on the U.S. GP priorities for 2009, but making progress will require overcoming strong opposition from Russia. The next GPWG meeting will take place in Rome on March 23, 2009. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- ITALY BILAT: KEEPING THE FIRE BURNING ON GP EXPANSION -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On January 27, Matthias Mitman (State ISN/CTR) led the USDEL for the first G8 GPWG meeting in Rome chaired by Counselor Gianluca Alberini, Coordinator for Nonproliferation Finance, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During a January 26 bilateral with USDEL, Alberini agreed to include global GP projects in 2009 Summit documents and supported holding workshops on the margins of the April and June GPWG meetings to discuss concrete global projects for other GP nations to consider --two key U.S. priorities for the GP in 2009. U.S. Representative Mitman emphasized the U.S. goal to work with Italy to implement the workshops, engage Russia in a stronger partnership, and provide joint outreach to potential new GP partners. The Italians expressed caution about achieving consensus, but agreed to press ahead on implementing GP geographic expansion, working to recruit new partners, and emphasizing global scientist engagement activities. 
¶3. (SBU) Mitman stressed the need to build confidence with Russia and tabled the possibility of holding implementation workshops to help set milestones for ongoing work in Russia. Chairman Alberini stressed that Russia should be a full GP partner, not just a recipient, and noted that Russia had recently expressed this same sentiment to him. That said, he noted that he expects continued resistance from Russia on GP geographic expansion. Alberini added that completing Russia's GP priorities of chemical weapons destruction (CWD) and nuclear submarine dismantlement in Russia remain the Russian Government's highest priority. Alberini planned to meet with Russia following the GPWG to discuss Italy's commitment on chemical weapons destruction at the Pochep facility. Alberini confessed privately that Italy had "lost momentum" due to parliamentary hang-ups following a funding delay and modifications in the agreement with Russia. He also emphasized that Swiss and German involvement at Pochep makes Italy's specific role now less clear - another possible parliamentary issue for Italy. ¶4. (SBU) Regarding new GP partners, Alberini admitted to bilateral troubles with Brazil, which was approached in 2008 to join the GP but has not yet participated. He agreed to work toward a GPWG consensus list of countries to approach, and to even ask Russia to propose new countries, noting Kazakhstan as one possible example. Alberini also noted Italy's desire to achieve a set of "principles" for expanded GP efforts, including the possibility of framework agreements between donor and recipient states. Mitman responded that the U.S. believes such a proposed agreement could limit GP flexibility and will require careful consideration. Alberini stated Italy does not plan to explore extension of the GP beyond 2012 under its G8 Presidency, preferring to defer action to the Canadian G8 Presidency in 2010. -------------- -------------- GPWG: Italy Seeks Expansion; Russia Opposes -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) ITALY'S 2009 PROGRAM OF WORK: Alberini opened the GPWG meeting on January 27 by outlining Italy's planned program of work for 2009. The program strongly supports GP geographic expansion and places an emphasis on engaging scientists to reduce the WMD threat. Alberini referred to the U.S. presentations made at the December GPWG in Tokyo as having provided initial examples of such global activities. He also highlighted bio threat reduction and utilizing the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow and the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) in Kyiv as models/lessons learned for global scientist engagement and redirection activities. Alberini underlined the importance of improving coordination and information sharing for the public about GP activities. All other G8 partners endorsed the Italian perspective on geographic expansion with the exception of Russia. Russian Representative Antonov asserted that in the current global financial situation, the G8 should be cautious regarding expansion and ensure that such funding is not diverted from current GP commitments in Russia. ¶6. (SBU) RUSSIA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: The first half of the GPWG focused on the status of implementing current GP projects in Russia. Russian Representative Antonov made strong statements urging caution on GP expansion and brought a large Russian delegation to the meeting to emphasize Russia's two GP priorities: CWD and nuclear submarine dismantlement. Victor Kholstov, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Industry (Rosprom),which is responsible for CWD in Russia, briefed on the status of project completion at Russia's seven CWD sites. He stated that nearly 12,000 tons of chemical agent have been destroyed as of December 2008, with approximately 28,000 tons of chemical agent remaining. Kholstov implied U.S. financial commitments to Russia are on target despite lack of agreement on specific expenditures (which U.S. delegates attempted to clarify on the margins). Italy and France, however, have fallen far behind. Kholstov also stressed Russia's own allocation of nearly 4.8 billion USD for CWD in Russia. Regarding Russia's priority for nuclear submarine dismantlement, Mr. Anatoly Grigoriev from Rosatom briefed on the status, followed by an Italian presentation on bilateral cooperation with Russia on submarine dismantlement. Mr. Massimiliano Nobile of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed positive progress in meeting Italy's 2012 GP commitments with respect to nuclear submarine dismantlement. ¶7. (SBU) G7 VERSUS RUSSIA ON GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION: On expansion, Alberini moved the agenda forward by underscoring that expansion is already underway. He added that Italy placed a strong focus on the engagement of scientists and the potential for GP work in Iraq. Most partners strongly supported Italy's focus on GP expansion and emphasis on scientist engagement activities worldwide. Only Russia expressed a strong view that GP expansion would jeopardize already lagging pledges from some GP partners (e.g. Italy, France, Japan). U.S. Representative Mitman stressed that GP expansion has already happened and must be flexible enough to address new threats while also maintaining existing commitments. Germany stated that it could only program GP funds for Russia and Ukraine, but would clarify its position on expansion with parliament. France noted the need to coordinate with existing nonproliferation initiatives such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. On the issue of scientist engagement, France stressed the need for a clear focus on proliferation risk. ¶8. (C) As discussions progressed, Russian Representative Antonov increasingly objected to GP geographic expansion and using the ISTC as a model, argued that the ISTC's work on scientist redirection in Russia is complete. He disavowed perceptions that threats were still emanating from Russia due to unemployed WMD scientists. Antonov conceded that Russia may support GP geographic expansion after 2012, but repeatedly conveyed that Russia will not budge on supporting geographic expansion until commitments on CWD and nuclear submarine dismantlement are completed in Russia. ¶9. (SBU) PATH FORWARD ON ATTRACTING NEW GP PARTNERS: No G8 representative opposed the need to attract new GP partners. In separate bilaterals, the U.S. engaged the UK, Canada and Japan to identify a shortlist of potential new GP donors to be presented to the Chair for joint demarches. In keeping with previous years, the March GPWG will include an expanded session with all 23 GP members. Alberini welcomed suggestions for additional invites beyond the GP members. ¶10. (SBU) LEVERAGING MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS TO MEET THE EXPANDED GP AGENDA: Alberini referenced Italy's desire to increase GP linkages with other multilateral institutions such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Biological Weapons Convention. He noted Italy's desire to leverage these fora to determine donor-recipient needs, particularly as related to global biological nonproliferation. To that end, Alberini proposed a presentation for the March GPWG from the Chairman of the 2009 Biological Weapons Convention, Canadian Ambassador Marius Grinius. Most G8 representatives supported this proposal, though the Russian representative expressed skepticism about what would be gained. -------------- ITALY: FOCUS ON HUMAN FACTOR -------------- ¶11. (SBU) ISTC AS A MODEL FOR GP EXPANSION: Alberini reiterated Italy's emphasis on engaging scientists to prevent the proliferation of WMD and related expertise, a focus the U.S. strongly supports. As part of that agenda, Italy invited the ISTC Executive Director, Adriaan van der Meer, to the GPWG to give a presentation on the ISTC as a possible model for GP implementation of global scientist engagement projects. Van der Meer outlined the ISTC's fifteen years of experience in redirecting former WMD scientists into peaceful civilian research and noted that this model may be applied proactively worldwide to ensure dual-use expertise is not diverted for malicious purposes. He stressed the importance of building a global culture of awareness and scientific responsibility globally. Van der Meer also emphasized ISTC lessons learned, such as the need to develop sustainable partnerships in recipient countries. Most G8 members expressed support for utilizing the lessons learned from the ISTC. Russian Representative Antonov, nevertheless, emphasized that scientist redirection is now complete in Russia. While he appeared to support the use of the ISTC as a model, Antonov strongly suggested that the ISTC should be moved outside of Russia if the Center would be used to implement GP projects outside of the Former Soviet Union. ¶12. (SBU) IRAQI SCIENTIST ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTED: As a second presentation on GP project expansion, Italy's former Ambassador to Iraq, GianLudovico De Martino briefed on Italy's scientist engagement activities in Iraq. De Martino stated that Italy has allocated approximately 1.4 million Euro for seminars, scholarships and workshops to train Iraqi scientists. He stressed the need to develop a cross-sector approach to Iraqi scientist engagement, including ensuring involvement of private industry as well as leveraging the Provincial Reconstruction Teams as platforms to engage at the local level. Antonov commented that Russia would discuss this possible area of focus in Moscow. That said, he noted that the security situation in Iraq and the global financial situation would prevent Russia from engaging in this area in the near term. -------------- RUSSIA'S INTEREST IS CWD - FULL STOP -------------- ¶13. (C) On the margins of the GPWG, U.S. Representative Mitman met with Russian Representative Antonov to discuss Moscow's concerns about completing priority GP projects in Russia and to ask for Antonov's views on possible areas for GP geographic expansion that could be supported in Moscow. Antonov agreed that implementation of U.S-funded projects in Russia is "working," but said that other G8 nations have "lied" to Russia about plans to complete work on Russian priority projects. Antonov further noted that he has never trusted "parallel tracks" of working to complete current GP projects while also discussing geographic expansion. Antonov plainly stated that Russia would not consider GP global expansion projects until it completes chemical weapons destruction in 2012. Antonov expressed fears that Russia would be isolated in the G8 over GP expansion, while Mitman stressed that Russia cannot afford to ignore global threats. On the subject of the ISTC in Moscow, Antonov gave lip service to the ISTC's utility as a model for global scientist engagement in the GPWG, but made it clear that he considers the ISTC's redirection mandate in Russia to be complete. When presented with the reality that Russia should and does care about terrorism and proliferation beyond Russia, Antonov allowed that Russia might prefer to link activities under an expanded GP to other fora supported in Russia - like the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and/or United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. Comment: Antonov's agreement on this possibility may have been a way for him to end the meeting on a positive note, following his repeated inflexibility to even consider GP expansion outside of Russia. End Comment. -------------- -------------- UK/CANADA/JAPAN STAY STRONG ON EXPANSION, GERMANY STILL IN LIMBO -------------- -------------- ¶14. (SBU) CANADA AND UNITED KINGDOM: During a USDEL trilateral, Canada and the UK continued to strongly support implementing GP geographic expansion. Referencing Russian objections to expansion, Canadian Representative Troy Lulashnyk preferred to focus on implementing GP expansion, recognizing that GP expansion has already occurred as referenced in the 2008 G8 Summit language. UK Representative Nick Low also stressed that we should move beyond rhetoric and make global programming happen. Lulashnyk also stressed Canada's view that the worldwide WMD threat is real and that biosecurity is "hugely underrepresented." Concerning new GP partners, there was trilateral agreement to develop a list of potential new donor countries for possible joint demarches. U.S.-UK-Canada agreement was also reached on the need to continue to press other G8 nations to fulfill commitments in Russia. ¶15. (SBU) JAPAN: In a breakfast meeting on the margins of the GPWG, Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Yasanuri Morino (and 2008 GPWG Chair) assured the U.S. of Japan's continued support for geographic expansion. Morino stated this included listing global projects in the 2009 GP documents, while stressing Japan's preference for specific milestones and goals. Regarding new donors, Japan mentioned China and India, with a focus on the latter. Morino did, however, note the possibility of bureaucratic problems in this aspect of expansion. Concerning the U.S. proposal for expansion project workshops, Morino was supportive. He also relayed that Japan will receive a budget line item for GP activities in April 2009 and might be able to support a separate regional workshop in Southeast Asia, possibly focused on biological threat reduction activities. Mitman stressed U.S. support for such an activity, while also emphasizing the importance of conducting workshops in April and June on the margins of official GPWG meetings in Rome. ¶16. (SBU) GERMANY: In a meeting with USDEL on the margins of the GPWG and Nonproliferation Directors Group (NPDG) meetings, German Representatives Dietrich Becker (GPWG) and Claus Wunderlich (NPDG) made clear that Germany cannot spend GP funding outside of Russia and Ukraine. Wunderlich explained that Germany supports the ideas behind GP geographic expansion but cannot muster support for additional funding due to lack of GP popularity in parliament, largely associated with the GP link to Russia and increasing Russian economic prosperity (prior to last fall's financial crisis). -------------- NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶17. (U) Italy will host the next GPWG in Rome on March 23, ¶2009. U.S. Representative Mitman will remain in close contact with GPWG Chair Alberini and other GP partners to press for workshops on the margins of the April and June GPWG meetings to present concrete project ideas for GP geographic expansion in the areas of global biological, nuclear and chemical threat reduction. ISN/CTR will also work with the UK, Canada and Japan to determine a consensus shortlist of potential new GP partners to present to Italy for demarches. CLINTON