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

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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

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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