DEMARCHE ON UNOMIG FOR DFM KARASIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 057309 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2019 TAGS: UNSC PREL RS GG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON UNOMIG FOR DFM KARASIN REF: A. USUN 554 ¶B. STATE 56222 Classified By: EUR Acting A/S Stuart Jones for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) This is an action request. Post is requested to demarche Russian Deputy Foreign Minister (DFM) Grigoriy Karasin, or in his absence, a suitably high-level Russian official, to seek Russian engagement in New York on the draft resolution agreed by the Quad to extend the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). Suggested demarche points are included in paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) Background: As reported reftel, in a June 2 meeting with French, German, UK, U.S. and Croatian counterparts, Russian Permanent Representative (PR) to the UN Vitaly Churkin refused to engage on a German draft resolution, agreed earlier within the Quad, to revise and extend UNOMIG's mandate. Churkin noted he had received "emphatic instructions" to seek a technical extension of the UN Mission for another 3-4 months unless the West was willing to engage on a draft that "reflected the real state of affairs in the region." Subsequently, the UK Ambassador in Moscow reported that in a telephone conversation with Russian DFM Karasin, the latter said he was "surprised" by Churkin's comments in New York, noted that Churkin would be sent clear instructions to engage on the text of the draft resolution, and opined that Russia was not interested in another "technical rollover" of the UNOMIG mandate. ¶3. (C) Begin suggested demarche points: -- We are concerned by the Russian Permanent Representative's refusal to engage in discussions in New York on the German draft text of a resolution extending the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). -- Germany's draft resolution, put forward in good faith, would revise and extend UNOMIG's mandate to contribute more effectively to security and stability on the ground, promote the human rights of the local population living in UNOMIG's area of responsibility, and contribute to the creation of conditions for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to the places of their habitual residence. -- The German-drafted resolution is fully supported by the U.S., as well as by our French and British colleagues, and is based largely upon the recommendations for a revised security regime and mandate in the most recent Secretary-General,s report. These recommendations were crafted in close consultation with all interested parties, including Russia. We therefore believe that this draft resolution can and should serve as the basis for negotiations. -- We look forward to working with Russia and others in New York to revise UNOMIG,s mandate. We also recognize that we will need to address some areas of disagreement. We urge Russia to engage in good faith on the current German text with the ultimate goal of securing a resolution to revise UNOMIG,s mandate by June 15. End Suggested Points. ¶4. (U) Please slug any response to EUR/CARC -- Kirk Bennett. CLINTON