Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE3205
2009-01-13 13:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  CY MARR MAS NATO OSCE PARM PREL 
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VZCZCXRO5664
OO RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #3205/01 0131406
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O P 131352Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 7129
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY 4685
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 2557
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ5// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//POLAD// PRIORITY
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).

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.

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RICE