DEMARCHE ON RESULTS OF U.S.-RUSSIA PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 071326 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: RS PGOV PREL SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON RESULTS OF U.S.-RUSSIA PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT REF: STATE 070576 ¶1. This is an action request. This cable reiterates the reftel message and expands the distribution from All European posts to all diplomatic and consular posts. See para 2 below. ¶2. Posts are requested to deliver the following points in paras 3 - 18 regarding President Obama's meetings in Moscow July 6 - 7 orally to the highest appropriate host government officials. Posts may also direct their counterparts to fact sheets, joint statements, press briefings, and presidential remarks located at www.whitehouse.gov. Begin Points: ¶3. President Obama and President Medvedev met in Moscow, Russia July 6-8 for bilateral meetings on a range of subjects including arms reduction, nuclear non- proliferation, cooperation on securing and stabilizing Afghanistan, cooperation on European missile defense, resuming bilateral military-to-military relations, and establishing a bilateral presidential commission, to better structure the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship. ¶4. The agreements reached at the summit end a period of dangerous drift in U.S.-Russia relations. While there are many areas where the United States and Russia disagree, and will continue to disagree, there are many more areas where our interests coincide. We seek to broaden these areas of cooperation in a way that is mutually beneficial, serves the national interests of both countries, and improves European security and stability. ¶5. In this regard, the United States and Russia have agreed to continue work on a follow-on agreement to the START treaty, which expires on December 5, 2009. Negotiators have been working non-stop and on July 6, President Obama and President Medvedev signed a Joint Understanding to guide the work of negotiators on the remainder of the agreement. ¶6. In the Joint Understanding, the United States and Russia agreed to reduce their strategic nuclear warheads to a range between 1500 and 1675, and to reduce their strategic delivery vehicles to a range between 500-1100. It is important to note that these ranges will not necessarily be included in the final text of the Treaty; they are the subject of continuing negotiations and are intended to be narrowed. Under the expiring START and Moscow treaties, the maximum allowable levels of warheads are 2200 and the maximum level of launch vehicles is 1600. ¶7. These numbers reflect agreement on reductions to levels that will be lower than any existing strategic arms control agreements. The new agreement will directly support the goals outlined by President Obama during his speech in Prague in April 2009 and will demonstrate Russian and American leadership in strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty. ¶8. The Presidents also confirmed their commitment to strengthening their cooperation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to stop acts of nuclear terrorism. They also affirmed a common vision of growth of clear, safe, and affordable nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. ¶9. On July 6, the United States and Russia also signed a bilateral air transit agreement that will enable the United States to transport its military personnel and equipment across Russia in support of international and Coalition forces in Afghanistan. This agreement will further diversify our crucial supply routes and bring potential savings of up to 133 million dollars in fuel, maintenance, and other transportation costs. The agreement is a significant Russian contribution to bringing security and stability to Afghanistan. ¶10. Further to cooperation on Afghanistan, our presidents released a joint statement affirming U.S. and Russian commitments to the goals of the common fight in Afghanistan against the threats of terrorism, armed STATE 00071326 002 OF 002 extremism, and illegal drug trafficking. The Presidents noted they are prepared to increase the assistance provided to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in strengthening and developing the capabilities of the Afghan National Army and police, and in training counter-narcotics personnel. ¶11. The U.S. and Russia agreed to renew military-to- military relations, which were suspended after the conflict in Georgia last August. Our Chiefs of Defense signed a strategic framework for military-to-military engagement that sets new conditions, which raise military cooperation to a new level and deepen mutual understanding between our respective armed forces. The Armed Forces of the United States and Russian Federation have agreed in their work plan for 2009 to conduct nearly 20 exchanges and operational events before the end of the year. ¶12. The Presidents also agreed to continue discussing cooperation in responding to the challenge of ballistic missile proliferation and instructed our experts to work together to analyze the ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century and to prepare appropriate recommendations. Our experts are intensifying dialogue on establishing the Joint Data Exchange Center, which is to become the basis for a multilateral missile-launch notification regime. ¶13. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science. The Memorandum establishes a framework for deeper cooperation between these government institutions to fight infectious diseases and chronic and non- communicable diseases, to promote healthy lifestyles and protect maternal and child health. ¶14. The two Presidents agreed to create a Bilateral Presidential Commission, which they will chair, and, which Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov will coordinate. The Commission will include working groups on nuclear energy and nuclear security; arms control and international security, foreign policy and fighting terrorism; drug trafficking; business development and economic relations, energy and the environment, agriculture, civil society, among other areas. ¶15. President Obama underscored U.S. support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and Ukraine, rejected the notion of privileged spheres of influence, and stressed the right of all European countries to choose their security alliances. ¶16. President Obama also emphasized the importance of democracy, free media, and an independent judiciary. ¶17. The tone of the President's meetings with President Medvedev was positive and constructive. The President also had a professional and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Putin. Discussion was cordial but frank in both meetings. ¶18. The United States welcomes an improved relationship with Russia. Our countries have many mutual interests and share many mutual threats. The reset in our bilateral relationship will not come at the expense of our friends and allies in the region. It is time to leave this zero-sum thinking behind. A better U.S. - Russia relationship will increase trust and cooperation and ultimately enhance European security. End Points. ¶19. Points of contact for this action are EUR/RUS Janine Ellison, email: EllisonJM@state.gov, phone: 202-647- 6763 and Daphne Stavropoulos, StavropoulosDZ@state.gov, phone: 202-736-4262. Please slug any email responses to EUR/RUS collective. ¶20. Minimize considered. CLINTON