Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE41666
2009-04-24 22:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

HLTF: GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 28 MEETING

Tags:  KCFE PARM PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #1666 1142306
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O P 242246Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 0000
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 041666 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL
SUBJECT: HLTF: GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 28 MEETING

REF: STATE 023176 - March 12 HLTF Guidance


Classified by Donna Phelan, VCI/CCA Acting Office
Director, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 041666

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL
SUBJECT: HLTF: GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 28 MEETING

REF: STATE 023176 - March 12 HLTF Guidance


Classified by Donna Phelan, VCI/CCA Acting Office
Director, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) The focus of the April 28 High Level Task Force
(HLTF) meeting will be a CFE "stocktaking" discussion
based on an Ally's request that the U.S. provide a non-
paper on the status of the elements of the Parallel
Actions Package. Allies will also review plans for the
NATO International Staff-hosted HLTF Off-Site
brainstorming session scheduled for May 26-28 at the
NATO School in Oberammergau and discuss how best to
shape FM Steinmeier's June 10 senior-level seminar in
Berlin on conventional arms control in Europe.

U.S. goals for the April 28 HLTF and related meetings
are to:

-- reinforce that, as in the Summit communique, Allies
should continue to deliver a unified, consistent message
on CFE at key upcoming events;

-- shape the "stocktaking" discussion on the current
status of the Parallel Actions Package into a
straightforward review of the status of each element of
the package to ensure a common understanding and assist
in framing future discussions of next steps on CFE; the
effect should be to identify the core issues that Allies
need to consider as we look ahead to the off-site
meeting in Oberammergau;

-- seek further input from the German delegation on the
status of their concept paper for the Steinmeier-
proposed senior-level seminar in June and encourage
using the May off-site as an opportunity to establish
unified Alliance positions for the June seminar.

CONTACTS and BILATERALS.


2. (C) State VCI A/S Gottemoeller will meet with
Russian Security and Disarmament Director Antonov in
Rome on April 24 on START issues. We expect that
Antonov will raise CFE on the margins of this meeting.
This will present an opportunity for the U.S. to seek
Russian reaction to U.S. ideas on Georgia that were
advanced during CFE bilateral discussions in Geneva in
December 2008, and for Antonov to offer any new ideas on
the way ahead now that the new Administration is taking
shape. Allies will be particularly interested in a
readout of the April 24 discussion as it pertains to
CFE. U.S. rep may report on any developments provided
by A/S Gottemoeller following the April 24 meeting.


WAY AHEAD: CFE "STOCKTAKING" AND THE MAY 26-28 HLTF OFF-
SITE


3. (C) At the March 12 HLTF, Allies called for a U.S.
non-paper (septel) providing an issue-by-issue update on
the Parallel Actions Package to serve as the basis for a
thorough discussion of each element of the package and
the status of the current dialogue. Some Allies may
also be interested in engaging in a preliminary
discussion of possible next steps in preparation for a
more in-depth discussion on the way ahead at the HLTF
off-site in the end of May. U.S. rep should be prepared
to review the points addressed in the U.S. non-paper and
respond to any questions for clarification based on
previous readouts of U.S.-Russia bilateral discussions.
The aim is not to engage in a detailed assessment of
each element, but rather establish/reinforce a common
understanding of the status of each issue and of the
package in its entirety as a basis for moving forward.


4. (C) U.S. rep should seek Allied views on the range
of issues in the U.S. non-paper with a view to reaching
a common understanding of core substantive challenges.
We see four: the flank, Russia's "suspension" of its
CFE implementation, Georgia, and Moldova. We would also
welcome preliminary ideas for a way forward that could
promote discussion at the off-site and other upcoming
events on conventional arms control specifically and
European security more broadly. As appropriate, U.S.
rep may draw from the following points in generally
addressing the state of play on CFE in the context of
current proposals on European security and recent
progress in efforts to reset the U.S.-Russia
relationship:

-- Our openness to dialogue on cooperative approaches
to enhance European security and to invigorate dialogue
with Russia to resolve problems, address concerns, and
build practical cooperation sent a useful message at
Strasbourg-Kehl and in the first meeting between U.S.
and Russian Heads of State.

-- On April 1, 2009, President Obama and President
Medvedev expressed mutual interest in exploring a
comprehensive dialogue on strengthening Euro-Atlantic
and European security, including existing commitments
and President Medvedev's June 2008 proposal on these
issues.

-- The U.S. welcomes discussion of ways to improve
Euro-Atlantic security and agrees with Allies that the
OSCE, with its inclusive membership and comprehensive
concept of security which includes human and economic
dimensions, as well as political-military aspects, is
the most appropriate forum for such a discussion. We
are also open to engaging in discussions with the
Russians about their ideas in other appropriate fora,
such as the NATO-Russia Council.

-- Our aim should be to enhance the effectiveness of
existing Euro-Atlantic institutions and agreements, not
replace them with new ones. Russia's decision not to
perform its CFE obligations is particularly significant
and must be addressed in parallel with broader
discussions on Euro-Atlantic security.

-- The U.S., together with our Allies, has been
seeking a way forward with Russia that preserves the
benefits of CFE and its core principles. Allied support
for the "parallel actions package" has been unwavering
and essential; the U.S. is committed to engaging Russia
on arms control and encouraging Russia to negotiate
seriously.

-- We are very interested in Allies' views on how to
proceed in the next months and in using the upcoming
HLTF off-site to determine how best to use the June 10
conference in Berlin in advancing our common approach.
A review of where we are on the parallel actions
approach should be useful as we develop ideas for moving
ahead.

GERMAN SEMINAR ON THE FUTURE OF ARMS CONTROL IN EUROPE


5. (C) At the March 12 HLTF Germany repeated assurances
that they would take on board input and concerns
expressed by Allies and would continue the consultative
process to finalize the goals and objectives for its
June 10 seminar in Berlin on "The Future of Conventional
Arms Control in Europe." Germany has not yet
distributed a revised paper, but we understand from U.S.
Embassy Berlin that German rep Biontino has discussed
the paper and overall concept with Russian CFE expert
Anton Mazur (at the March RACVIAC Seminar held in Zagreb
Croatia) and intends to circulate an updated version of
the paper at the April 28 HLTF. U.S. rep should draw on
reftel to address any outstanding U.S. concerns
regarding the paper on the margins or in the HLTF as
appropriate; seek further details on how Germany intends
to proceed with seminar planning; seek feedback from the
German rep on any discussion with Russian reps; and
encourage using the May off-site as a key event for
Allies to prepare for the June seminar.

DATE OF NEXT HLTF MEETING


6. (SBU) An HLTF Off-Site to be hosted by the NATO
School in Oberammergau is already scheduled for 26-28
May. This event will serve as key opportunity to
prepare for the June 10 German seminar in Berlin. We
expect the NATO IS will provide further details on
logistics at the HLTF.
CLINTON