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

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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

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"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