OSCE/FSC: 15 JULY PLENARY--1540 BEST PRACTICE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000167 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 (WALLENDER) 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: 15 JULY PLENARY--1540 BEST PRACTICE GUIDE AND GENDER ISSUES IN ARMED FORCES 1.(SBU) Summary: During the July 15 Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) Russia provided information on its military exercises in the North Caucus military district from 29 June - 6 July. The FSC heard two security dialogue presentations on gender issues in the armed forces. Italy shared information on the results of the G8 Summit, including the G8 statement on Non-proliferation that included a number of FSC-related issues, e.g., supporting implementation of UNSCR ¶1540. The U.S. provided information on Small Arms Light Weapons Destruction Day and the 8th publication of "To Walk the Earth in Safety" on landmine clearance. Speakers, panelists, or moderators were requested soon for the SALW meeting in September. On the margins, the Russian delegation provided minor comments on the two outstanding issues in the proposed 1540 Best Practice Guide and accepted other U.S. proposals. Mission has forwarded a clean copy to Washington for final review -- ideally the BPG can be issued to all delegations next week for final endorsement in September (See para 15). End Summary. Russia Info on Kavkaz 2009 exercises - better late than never? 2.(SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) provided information on its recent military exercises in the North Caucus Military District from 29 June - 6 July. Ulyanov said this was the major exercise to take place in the last two decades, however it remained at levels below VDOC thresholds for notification or observation. The training took place in several locations, including: Krasnaydar, Sevastapol, Volgograd, Ingushetia, Dagestan, N. Ossetia, and the Chechen republic. Approximately 8,500 troops took part, including various units of the air force, air defense, Black Sea Fleet, Caspian Flotilla, Ministry of Interior and emergency preparedness personnel. Equipment deployed included 200 tanks, 450 ACVs, 250 artillery pieces, and 30 interceptor/attack helicopters and aircraft. This was an Army level exercise designed for emergency response training, both tactical and inter-service coordination and counter-terrorism operations. The exercise had two stages, first combat readiness, and second assembling forces for counter-terrorism operations and protection of state facilities. The Russian navy conducted exercises on the Black and Caspian seas regarding anti-piracy, illegal fishing, and with airborne forces repelled coastal landing forces. The tests were for a broad set of readiness and mobility tasks of the new staff structure according to recent Russian military reform efforts. 3.(SBU) Ulyanov closed by noting although the exercises had a counter-terrorism focus, some states in the region chose to view this exercise as an aggressive nature, and preparation for invasion of Georgia. Russia is puzzled by and regrets this thinking, and believes it is only the product of a sick imagination. 4.(SBU) Current FSC Chair (Georgia) responded on a national basis, confirming that Georgia had concerns about the training event. Georgia is willing to sign a non-use of force agreement with Russia but not with the "proxy" states. However, de-occupation should be the first priority. Georgia suggested resuming this dialogue in the fall session when it will no longer be in the Chair and can speak from its national seat. Russia said it is familiar with Georgia's position and said the issue of non-use of force is important for stability in the region. 5.(SBU) Comment: Several delegations, including the U.S., had asked Russia on the margins about this exercise and suggested that Russia provide information on it according to USOSCE 00000167 002 OF 003 FSC Chairman's Statement (FSC.JOUR/467/05, as well as to invite observers. In contrast to the voluntary information provided by Spain at an FSC meeting prior to NATO,s much smaller PFP exercise in Georgia, Russia waited until after its exercise. The information provided verbally was consistent with information available in the press. End Comment. Gender Issues and the Armed Forces 6.(SBU) The OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) introduced the two FSC security dialogue presentations on gender issues and the military forces. Copies of the "Handbook on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel" were provided, as well as a CD on "Gender and Security Sector Reform - Toolkit" from the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) and the Geneva-based Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). Mission has these materials available upon request. 7.(SBU) From the operational side, Swedish General Engelbrekston described the importance of including gender issues as part of the overall force protection of his units. As commander of the Nordic battle group he recognized that addressing gender issues on a regular basis helped prevent scandals and negative press reporting, which takes away valuable time from other operational needs. He said it is also useful in indentifying female leaders in the local community, how to approach and communicate with them. Such coordination with the local female population can have a strategic affect on the rebuilding of the society and preventing further conflict. Hence, reducing the need for further/future military intervention. 8.(SBU) Second, Spanish Ministry of Defense attorney Hernando discussed the history of women in the Spanish armed forces since 1987. She focused on various aspects of recruitment, promotion and retention of female service members. Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Russia, the U.S., Azerbaijan, the UK, and Austria spoke in support of the importance of the topic or offered practical questions to the speakers. The EU issued a statement highlighting the importance of UNSCR 1325 of October 2000 that addresses the impact of armed conflict on women as well as the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision of 2005 on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 for "women, peace, and security" in all OSCE dimensions (FSC.DEL/142/09). G8 Nonproliferation Statement 9.(SBU) Italy (Landi),as recent G8 host, provided information of the results of the 8 July meeting, drawing attention to a number of resulting documents of interest to the FSC. In particular, he mentioned the G8 statement on Nonproliferation, which includes references to further work on implementation of UNSCR 1540 (paragraph 9) and the Global Initiative for Nuclear Cooperation (paragraph 13). See SEC.DEL/167/09. The U.S. (Neighbour) noted that at the G8 meeting, President Obama called for a global meeting on March 10, 2010 to discuss how we can work together on nuclear safety issues. SALW Destruction and APL Clearance 10.(SBU) U.S.(Neighbour) announced that the U.S. had provided documents on two FSC topics: 1) the July 9 statement marking International Small Arms Destruction Day (FSC.DEL/140/09). This statement notes that since 2001, the U.S. Department of State has provided over $110 million to help destroy over 1.3 million small arms and over 50,000 tons of ammunition, plus over 30,000 MANPADS; and 2) publication of the 8th edition of USOSCE 00000167 003 OF 003 "To Walk the Earth in Safety" on clearing landmines (FSC.DEL/141/09). This statement highlights that in 2008, the Department of State provided $123 million in mine clearance and weapons destruction in 35 countries. Working Group A Issues 11.(SBU) Germany (Schweitzer) said it had received a number of comments on the draft decision on guidelines for VD99 Chapter IV briefings, some of which directly conflict with one another. Germany will be consulting on next steps, and suggested returning to the subject in September. Note: on the margins, he mentioned that Russia had posed major objections to the paper, and he is unsure whether there is any hope for finding a formula that will meet with consensus. End note. 12.(SBU) In preparation for the September SALW meeting, Germany informed delegations that the 2010 UN Biennial Chairman, Spanish Ambassador Merido has accepted an invitation to attend and provide a keynote address. He urged other delegations to identify moderators/panelists/speakers by July 17 so the FSC troika can finalize the agenda before the summer recess. Mission welcomes Washington participation and will work with Germany to ensure U.S. reps are included on the program. 13.(SBU) The FSC coordinator on SALW projects (Harnell-UK) recalled the CPC announcement about the GRIP request to receive enduser certificate data from the last information exchange (FSC.GAL/82/09),and confirmed that the UK is prepared to provide its information. Sweden also agreed to do so. 14.(SBU) The FSC coordinator for Stockpiles of Ammunition (Petersen-Denmark) announced at the last plenary that a donor visit is being planned from 28 September to 1 October to the Crimea region in Ukraine (FSC.DEL/139/09). The visit is being organized in response the October 2007 request for assistance in clearing the contaminated areas of Explosive Remnants of War. The FSC was briefed on the project in December 2008 (FSC.FR/4/08). Delegations were asked to submit names of interested participants by July 24. Mission understands PM/WRA may be interested in attending, and we will forward your information to the coordinator upon receipt. 15.(SBU) UNSCR 1540 Best Practice Guide: On the margins, the Russian delegation provided minor comments on the two outstanding issues and accepted other U.S. proposals. Mission has forwarded a clean copy to Washington for final review. If approved, Mission will provide a clean copy to all delegations and work with the incoming UK FSC Chair to issue the draft decision next week for its final endorsement in September. This has been a USG objective for two years. Mission strongly recommends U.S. endorsement of the draft, so that the U.S. can pocket this win while it is possible. 16.(SBU) The FSC's last meeting before the break will be on July 22. Russia has told the Georgians (the FSC Chair) that Russia intends to make a presentation "Lessons learned from August 2008" during the security dialogue at that meeting. Meanwhile, the UK has published the draft schedule of FSC meetings for the fall, beginning on September 9 (FSC.INF/14/09). In preparation for the fall, Mission welcomes input for security dialogue sessions already identified. Scott