OSCE/FSC: U.S. RESPONSE TO CYPRIOT REQUEST FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 003205 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2015 TAGS: CY MARR MAS NATO OSCE PARM PREL SUBJECT: OSCE/FSC: U.S. RESPONSE TO CYPRIOT REQUEST FOR MANPADS DESTRUCTION ASSISTANCE REF: A. IIR 6 823 0144 08 (DTG R 261245Z SEP 08) ¶B. IIR 6 823 0021 09 (DTG 070958Z NOV 08) ¶C. FSC-PC.DEL/39/08 ¶D. STATE 124486 ¶E. MEYER-SILBERBERG EMAIL 12/29/08 Classified By: Richard A. Davis, VCI/CCA Office Director. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request; please see para 7 below. ¶2. (C) Ref A reported Republic of Cyprus (ROC) intent to request technical assistance through the OSCE for destruction of excess stockpiles of MANPADS. The ROC informally approached Embassy Nicosia to determine USG interest in leading such efforts within the OSCE. The ROC's intent to demilitarize/destroy the MANPADS was made known to the US DATT (Ref A) approximately six weeks prior to the official announcement requesting assistance. Likewise, MOD officials made it known to USG personnel that it would be preferable if the USG, under the auspices of the OSCE, sought to lead the effort (Ref B). Washington (PM/WRA) has been engaged with Embassy Nicosia to ensure that this bilateral channel remains open and that bilateral and multilateral efforts (through the OSCE in Vienna) complement one another. ¶3. (SBU) On October 29, 2008, the Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus formally requested from OSCE participating States technical assistance for the destruction of 324 SA-7s MANPADS and their gripstocks (Ref C). At that time the OSCE,s Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) Coordinator for SA/LW Projects -- a rotating position currently held by Colonel Steve Hartnell (United Kingdom) -- indicated that the OSCE would organize the response to this request and asked participating States for a show of interest. ¶4. (SBU) On November 5, 2008, Colonel Hartnell reported that Cyprus had distributed answers to the OSCE assistance questionnaire (FSC.EMI/419.08),which indicated that Cyprus is seeking experts to: -- conduct a detailed risk assessment; -- provide advice and technical assistance in developing a destruction program in conjunction with local experts; -- facilitate the execution of the destruction program in collaboration with local experts; and -- provide training for local experts prior to destruction. ¶5. (SBU) On 10 December, Colonel Hartnell held an informal meeting to discuss OSCE assistance with interested parties. During this meeting, several participating States, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy, offered various levels of assistance. All participating States interested in providing the requested assistance were requested to direct written proposals to the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Center (CPC) by January 21. ¶6. (SBU) Washington indicated preliminary interest in supporting the Cyprus request (Ref D) and subsequently requested that USOSCE provide COL Hartnell with an informal outline of proposed U.S. assistance (Ref E). ¶7. (SBU) Action Request: Mission is requested to pass the following U.S. proposal to the FSC Coordinator for SA/LW as soon as possible. -------------- Begin Text -------------- The United States, as a member of the OSCE, has reviewed the request for assistance in destroying excess stocks of MANPADS, as presented by the Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus to the 36th Joint Meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation and the Permanent Council on 29 October, 2008, offers the following: Since 2003, the United States has assisted 24 countries in STATE 00003205 002 OF 002 the elimination of over 26,000 MANPADS and, since 2001, 47 States in the destruction of over 1 million small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). These projects included financial and material support as well as expert advice and were orchestrated both bilaterally and through multilateral partners such as the UN, OSCE, and NATO. The U.S. has interagency teams capable of providing expert advice and training in explosive destruction, demilitarization and/or coordination of relocation for destruction at another requested site. With regard to the request forwarded from the Republic of Cyprus, the U.S. is prepared, as needed, to participate in and lead the OSCE response. The U.S. is ready to send up to three experts to assist in conducting the Phase I assessment visit in February 2009. The U.S. will plan to cover all costs associated with U.S. personnel participation in this assessment visit. If requested, the U.S. is also prepared to lead the efforts of the OSCE in conducting the follow-on Phase II elimination project. While the detailed arrangements for Phase II will depend on the Republic of Cyprus's decisions following the completion of the Phase I assessment, the U.S. is prepared to provide assistance as needed to complete the destruction in Cyprus through explosive destruction or demilitarization; or, at the request of the Republic of Cyprus, to coordinate transport to another country for destruction. Specifically, the U.S. is prepared to provide the Republic of Cyprus with all or any part of the following: - Leadership in coordinating the OSCE response to Cyprus; - Expert Advice and training on demolition and or demilitarization; - Coordination for the transportation and elimination of MANPADS at another location outside the Republic of Cyprus if desired; - Provision of equipment and materials required to complete the destruction or demilitarization. While we understand that the Republic of Cyprus has requested only technical assistance for the completion of this project, and has not requested financial assistance, the U.S. is prepared to cover unforeseen costs arising during Phase II, based on the availability of appropriated funds. In addition, the U.S. will plan to fund the cost of U.S. personnel participating in this project. -------------- End Text -------------- RICE