AMB VOLKER'S MEETING WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

S E C R E T STATE 008311 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS GG RS SUBJECT: AMB VOLKER'S MEETING WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR REF: USNATO 28 Classified By: EUR PDAS MARCIE RIES FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This action request provides guidance requested reftel. Please see paragraphs 2-4. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Volker's meeting with Russian Ambassador Dmitri Rogozin comes on the heels of several positive exchanges between the United States and Russia on the future of our relations, including phone calls between President Obama and President Medvedev and between Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov, as well as the informal NATO-Russia Council meeting on January 26. While we should not seek to get into detailed discussion on the way ahead for NATO-Russia, Amb Volker's meeting gives us an opportunity to reiterate that the Obama Administration is interested in strengthening cooperation with Russia, in particular in areas of joint concern, e.g., Afghanistan, counterterrorism, counterproliferation. ¶3. (S/NF) Washington agrees with USNATO's recommendation to express support in general terms for "measured and phased" re-engagement between NATO and Russia, as agreed upon by NATO Foreign Ministers in December. We do not wish to respond directly to specific proposals on future NATO-Russia cooperation, including those raised by Amb Rogozin on January 26, until we have consulted further with Allies. Similarly, we should pre-coordinate with Allies on broader NRC strategy before providing details to Russia on U.S. views of the scope and pace of NATO-Russia re-engagement. ¶4. (SBU) For his meeting with Amb Rogozin, the Ambassador may draw from the guidance below on the topics identified reftel. General: -- President Obama is determined to work with Russia to improve NATO-Russia relations in a way that enhances European security, and helps both the Alliance and Russia deal with common threats outside of Europe, including most urgently the resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Resumption of Military Cooperation: -- We have conveyed to Washington your proposal for an NRC MilReps, discussion on the way ahead. Afghanistan and Manas: -- As President Obama told President Medvedev in their recent call, Afghanistan is an area where our two countries can and should work together. -- Appreciate President Medvedev,s recent affirmation of Russia,s readiness to work with NATO on Afghanistan, in particular Russia,s offer to allow the transit of non-military supplies across its territory. -- Pleased to be working with Russia to ensure that all the necessary steps are taken with the Government of Russia to take advantage of Russia's offer to allow NATO overland transit through its territory of non-military goods in support of ISAF. The United States hopes to move forward with the first shipment in the near future. -- This arrangement, once operational, will represent a significant step forward in our cooperation, and underscore the important areas in which NATO and Russia share common interests. Recall NATO's goal, highlighted in the SYG April 4 letter to FM Lavrov, to establish a formal Transit Agreement between NATO and Russia. -- President Obama is dedicated to working with the NATO Allies to fight the Taliban and Al-Qaida and in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. We also view Russia as a partner in this effort. The air base at Manas provides critical support to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. -- Recent press reports of alleged pressure on Kyrgyzstan to close the air base at Manas are of great concern. If the reports are true, such action on the part of Russia would raise questions about Russia,s espoused desire to be a constructive international partner on Afghanistan, since Manas is one of the key logistical linchpins supporting ISAF efforts in Afghanistan. We would welcome Russian assurances of its continued support for keeping the Manas base open. This would be a strong step towards &resetting8 U.S.-Russia relations on a more productive path, which is the goal of both of our leaders. (If Raised) Russian participation in ISAF meeting: -- The U.S. remains interested in deepening cooperation between Russia and NATO on Afghanistan. Current focus is on operationalizing the transit offer. Potential cooperation on Piracy: -- Clearly counter-piracy is an area where we have common interests. The U.S. is already working with Russia bilaterally and at the UN on this issue. -- Would be interested in your views on how cooperation between Russia and NATO could complement the growing international effort on piracy. Deployment of Iskander missiles: -- Certainly hope Russia would refrain from installing new offensive missiles in Europe. More broadly, however, we need to move beyond threats, and work cooperatively on a range of issues where we share common interests. -- President Obama has expressed his support for missile defense if the system works and can be developed and deployed in a fiscally responsible way. This Administration is interested in a serious dialogue with Russia on cooperation on future missile defense systems. Georgia: -- Call on Russia to fulfill its commitments under the August 12 ceasefire and subsequent agreements, including the withdrawal of forces to pre-conflict positions. Russia continues to occupy Perevi and Akhalgori in South Ossetia and the Upper Kodori Valley in Abkhazia, all areas administered by Georgian authorities prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Concerned with recent press reporting that Russia may be planning to establish a naval base at Ochamchira. If true, this would clearly violate Russia,s ceasefire commitments and increase tensions in the region. -- Express deep regret that Russia blocked consensus in December in Vienna on Finnish proposals for the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Georgia. The extension was supported by the overwhelming majority of OSCE participating States. -- Emphasize that the OSCE Mission in Georgia plays a necessary role in international efforts to reduce tensions, protect the rights of minorities and promote conflict resolution in support of the ceasefire agreements. On a positive note, we welcome Russia's recent decision to grant access to Perevi by OSCE patrols. -- Call on Russia to engage in good faith in negotiations in Vienna, which the Greek OSCE Chairmanship is conducting, to build an effective future OSCE presence in Georgia. Also look for Russian flexibility and good will in discussions in New York on renewal of UNOMIG mandate. Energy Security: -- We welcome the resumption of gas flows from Russia to Ukraine and the rest of Europe. The United States has said that neither side was blameless in the recent gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine and does not believe it is a constructive use of time to engage on the details. -- Energy Security has significant political and security implications for all of us. This is an issue that our new Secretary of State and the White House have identified as a priority. -- We recall in the Bucharest Summit statement a clear signal by NATO Heads of State and Government that the Alliance should consider where it can add value within the international community to other multilateral and commercially based efforts to enhance energy security. Their statement was particularly prescient given recent events. -- (If raised): Recent charges by the Head of Gazprom,s export branch that Ukraine was taking its orders from Washington are baseless. The U.S. consistently urged the rapid settlement of this dispute along normal, commercial lines; and we encouraged all parties, including Ukraine, to work with the Czech EU Presidency to reach a settlement. We hope Russia and Ukraine will work to avoid similar crises in the future. -- (If asked): The text of the Ukraine-U.S. Charter references the energy sector but notes only that Washington and Kyiv will work closely together on rehabilitating and modernizing the capacity of Ukraine,s gas transit infrastructure and promoting diversity of energy resources. The U.S.-EU 2008 Summit Statement contains a similar commitment for both parties to work together with Ukraine to increase transparency in its energy sector. (If Raised) Possible NRC cooperation on Arctic issues: -- All NRC members, as well as many of our partners and neighbors are affected by the issues there. -- Secretary Clinton recently pledged that the Administration will prove "very receptive" to dialogue on the High North; Arctic issues, which "dramatically affect" our own interests, also offer the opportunity for "positive action" and to "deepen our partnerships." Cooperative Airspace Initiative: -- Highlight U.S. support, including our significant financial contributions. -- Will continue to urge Allies to increase their financial support for this important initiative. CLINTON