JCIC-DIP-09-010: U.S. RESPONSE TO RUSSIAS START

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 092657 SIPDIS GENEVA FOR JCIC MOSCOW FOR DTRO-M/ACID E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2029 TAGS: PARM KACT START US RS UP BO KZ SUBJECT: JCIC-DIP-09-010: U.S. RESPONSE TO RUSSIAS START FORMAT 81 NOTIFICATION REGARDING INCOMPLETENESS OR INSUFFICIENT QUALITY OF THE RECORDING OF TELEMETRIC INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING THE TRIDENT II SLBM FLIGHT TEST OF DECEMBER 10, 2008 REF: RNC/STR 09-86/81 Classified By: Jerry A. Taylor, Director, VCI/SI. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Background: The United States conducted a Trident II SLBM flight test on December 10, 2008. On April 7, 2009, the Russian Federation provided the United States a START Format 81 notification (Reftel) regarding the incompleteness or insufficient quality of the recording of telemetric information provided regarding that flight test. This cable responds to Russias notification. ¶2. (U) Action Request: Embassies Moscow, Kyiv, and Astana are requested to provide the points in paragraph 4 below to appropriate host government officials. Washington will provide each embassy a courtesy Russian-language translation of the points in paragraph 4 to be delivered along with the English language text. Each embassy is requested to confirm delivery of these points, the name and office of the official to whom they were delivered, the date of delivery, and any comment or reaction provided at that time. ¶3. (U) The text in paragraph 4 will be sent directly to the Belarusian Government via a service message transmitted by the U.S. Nuclear Risk Reduction Center. ¶4. (C/Releasable to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine) Begin text: August 25, 2009 U.S. Response to the START Notification Provided by the Russian Federation Regarding Incompleteness or Insufficient Quality Of Telemetric Information Recorded on Tapes For the Trident II SLBM Flight Test of December 10, 2008 The United States conducted a Trident II SLBM flight test on December 10, 2008. On April 7, 2009, the Russian Federation provided the United States a START Format 81 notification (RNC/STR 09-86/81) regarding that flight test. This non-paper responds to that notification. Russias Comments: 3.C) Tape number: Telemetric information of radio link 22521.5 MHz: magnetic tape (A) file 2 analog 2 and analog 3 magnetic tape (B) file 12 analog 2 magnetic tape (B) file 13 analog 2 magnetic tape (B) file 16 analog 2 magnetic tape (C) file 19 analog 2 Telemetric information of radio link 2263.5 MHz: magnetic tape (A) file 3 analog 2 and analog 3 magnetic tape (A) file 7 analog 2 magnetic tape (A) file 8 analog 3 magnetic tape (B) file 12 analog 3 magnetic tape (B) file 13 analog 3 magnetic tape (B) file 16 analog 3 magnetic tape (C) file 20 analog 2 Telemetric information of radio link 2246.5 MHz: magnetic tape (A) file 7 analog 3 magnetic tape (C) file 21 analog 2 magnetic tape (C) file 22 analog 2 Telemetric information of radio link 2213.5 MHz: magnetic tape (C) file 19 analog 3 Telemetric information of radio link 2268.5 MHz: magnetic tape (C) file 22 analog 3 Telemetric information of radio link 2221.5 MHz: magnetic tape (C) file 20 analog 3 3.D) Time periods during which incomplete or low quality recordings of telemetric information were received: During the entire time of the provided recordings of telemetric information. 3.E) Description of processing difficulty: The poor quality of the magnetic tape recordings does not allow for reproduction of the telemetric information. 4.Remarks: the Russian side requests once again that the United States provide the aforementioned telemetric recordings or provide an explanation as to the nature of the problem. U.S. response: The Russian Federation was provided all tapes containing recordings of telemetric information broadcast during the subject flight test. Within 30 days of the date of this response, the United States will provide three replacement tapes identified as replacement tapes A, B, and C and supplemental guidance to the telemetry playback procedure with Metrum 64 and Metrum Armor which was provided during the 1999 playback equipment demonstration. Using the supplemental guidance, the United States requests the Russian Federation attempt playback on the original telemetric recordings first. Then if the problem is not resolved, attempt playback with the replacement tapes A, B, and C and return the original tapes to the U.S. for evaluation. Washington regrets the delay in providing this response. End text CLINTON