OSCE/FSC: JULY 8 PLENARY U.S. AND RUSSIA SHARE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000157 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, VCI/NRRC, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA, EUR/CARC, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, PM/WRA, ISN/CPI JCS FOR J-5 OSD FOR ISA NSC FOR NILSSON USUN FOR LEGAL, POL EUCOM FOR J-5 CENTCOM FOR J-5 UNVIE FOR AC GENEVA FOR CD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE RS XG SUBJECT: OSCE/FSC: JULY 8 PLENARY U.S. AND RUSSIA SHARE SUMMIT RESULTS 1.(SBU) Summary: At the 8 July Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) Plenary, U.S. and Russia highlighted pol-mil results of the July 6 Summit. The FSC adopted Decision 5/09 to hold a "Meeting to Review the OSCE Document on SALW" on September 22-23. The FSC heard two Security Dialogue presentations on Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC) and the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG). The UK and Russia published a new version of the Best Practice Guide for Implementation of VDOC Chapter IV on Contacts. Mission welcomes further comments on this draft. The UK announced the publication of its "Defense Framework" which is the authoritative source of information on how the UK defense apparatus works, including democratic political control of the military forces. Russia patiently awaits further substantive comments on its naval CSBM proposal. End Summary. July 6 Summit Productive - - - - - 2.(SBU) Both U.S. and Russian delegations informed delegations on the results of the U.S.-Russia Summit on July ¶6. The U.S.(Neighbour) stated that with our Russian partners we found success in a number of areas, including some arms control issues, including the Joint Statements on START negotiations (SEC.DEL/153/09),Nuclear Security (SEC.DEL/151/09),Missile Defense SEC.DEL/149/09),Military to Military Cooperation, and a Presidential Commission (SEC.DEL/157/09). In particular, one issue for the FSC involves the paragraph in the Nuclear Security statement about "(working together to strengthen the ability of other nations to carry out their WMD non-proliferation obligations under UNSCR 1540." Neighbour emphasized that completing the 1540 Best Practice Guide will be a major contribution to that effort. 3.(SBU) Ambassador Ulyanov similarly said Russia found the Summit to be useful, businesslike, and good beginning for open dialogue between our Presidents. Russia and the U.S. have many common interests, many agreements were reached, including one for transit of U.S. military equipment en route to Afghanistan. Russia hopes for new momentum for cooperation on arms control, and that the results will help accelerate and advance a way around the CFE impasse. He also hopes the FSC agenda will benefit, and that various documents in the CSBM regime can be updated as well. Following the meeting, Russia recommended we jointly share the relevant documents in the FSC. (FSC.DEL/137/09). 4.(SBU) The FSC adopted Decision 5/09 on "An OSCE Meeting to Review the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its Supplementary Decisions." In order to prepare for the September 22-23 meeting, the Chair (Georgia) urged delegations to identify panelists, moderators, and presenters in the near future. 5.(SBU) The Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC) briefing contained extensive background and information on a number of projects underway among the 12 members states, including the U.S. Projects include simulated exercises; WMD counter-proliferation, border security and counter-terrorism; interconnection of military hospitals; defense industry, research and USOSCE 00000157 002.2 OF 003 technology; and military education cooperation (FSC.DEL/135/09). The Southeastern Europe Brigade was also created under SEDM auspices. The SEEBRIG briefing included details on the multinational forces involved and their recent missions, including security and assistance operations in Afghanistan. (FSC.DEL/136/09) Several pS welcomed the briefings and pledged continued support. Neighbour highlighted that the project on WMD counter-proliferation, which includes preparing legislation and export controls, could benefit from the UNSCR 1540 Best Practice Guide when it is finalized. 6.(SBU) In line with its Code of Conduct commitments, including democratic political control of the military forces, the UK announced the publication of its &Defense Framework8 which is the authoritative source of information on how the UK defense apparatus works. (FSC.JOUR/590, Annex) 7.(SBU) Working Group B: Russian Naval CSBM proposal: Russia informed the FSC that several delegations have said its proposal for a naval CSBM regime is acceptable. (FSC.DEL/120/08/Rev 1) However, it understands that some delegations need more time, and asked that it remain on the agenda until all are ready. Ulyanov stressed that its proposal is a basis for negotiation and it is open to other proposals in this area. In particular, information on difficult substantive points will help Russia reflect on how to amend the text to make it more acceptable. No delegation commented on the topic. Working Group A - - - - - 8.(SBU) Russia made note of the large number of notifications regarding delayed information exchanges for Conventional Arms Transfers and SALW. Specifically, he recalled that under Decision 10/02, pS were supposed to indicate not only the reason for the delay, but the estimated date for when the data would be provided. He asked that delegations update their delay notices accordingly, and urged the FSC Chair to issue the reminder letters promptly after the two-week grace period ends on July 14. Note: This is the first time any pS has complained about "delay" notifications, although there have been a lot more than in previous years, including from the U.S. End Note. 9.(SBU) The UK, also on behalf of the Russian cosponsor, announced that it would be publishing a new version of the Best Practice Guide for Implementation of VDOC Chapter IV on Contacts (FSC.AIAM/8/09/Rev 1). Mission welcomes further review/comments on the new draft. 10.(SBU) On the Turkish food for thought and draft Decision on extending the use of digital cameras and GPS, Turkey thanked the Chair for agreeing to issue the proposed draft Decision (FSC.DEL/124/09). Cyprus asked that the draft clearly notes that the equipment can only be used to verify the information available from the data exchanges ) not any new data, and is used with the knowledge/consent of the host state. The Chair asked that language suggestions be provided in writing soon. 11.(SBU) On the German draft Decision on Guidelines for USOSCE 00000157 003.2 OF 003 Briefings, Cyprus requested that the same suggestion made on the equipment decision be included in this text as well. Germany did not indicate when a new version will be issued (FSC.DD/5/09). 12.(SBU) Under other agreed measures, food for thought on UNSCR 1540, Belarus welcomed further work in the FSC on non-proliferation issues without overlapping work done elsewhere. USdel (Marvin) said we are working with the co-sponsors to prepare documents on the operational elements suggested in the text. We also noted that work on the export control Best Practice Guide was nearly complete, and we hoped to circulate a new text before the summer break. 13.(SBU) The CPC made two short announcements, one regarding its participation in an EAPC Workshop on Combating Illicit Brokering in SALW on 1-2 July. The workshop included discussion about the current OSCE brokering definition and possibly updating it. The second involves a United Nations Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) project in cooperation with the NGO Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security (GRIP) on the development of International Small Arm Control Standards (ISACS). (FSC.GAL/82/09) Given the OSCE's extensive experience in developing SALW Best Practice Guides, the CPC has been invited to attend the next CASA Expert Reference Group meeting in Geneva on July 15-16. ¶14. (SBU) CASA has also asked GRIP to develop modules on three topics: 1) national controls over the end-user and end-use of internationally transferred SALW; 2) marking and record-keeping; and 3) tracing. In turn, GRIP has sent a request to the OSCE/CPC asking if the OSCE can share copies of SALW information exchanges provided under FSD.DEC/12/08 to prepare the first module. FSC.DEC/12/08 is an information exchange with regard to sample formats of end-user certificates and relevant verification procedures. The CPC asked that pS let them know by 20 July if they have reservations with sharing this information with GRIP. Mission will not object unless advised otherwise. 15.(SBU) The next FSC Plenary will be on July 15, and will include a Security Dialogue presentation by Swedish Brigadier General Karl Engelbrektson of the Swedish Armed Forces on Women in the Armed Forces. Christensen