CFE/JCG: 29 SEPTEMBER - SHORT MEETING REGISTERS

UNCLAS USOSCE 000213 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM NSC FOR HAYDEN, FRIEDT JCS FOR J5 NORWOOD, COL SMITH OSD FOR ISA (KEHL, WALLENDER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL SUBJECT: CFE/JCG: 29 SEPTEMBER - SHORT MEETING REGISTERS RUSSIA'S LATEST INSPECTION REJECTION ¶1. (SBU) The Bulgarian Chairman (Iliev) adjourned the September 29 JCG meeting in near record time. During the short meeting, the U.S. (Neighbour) reported on Russia's latest CFE inspection rejection noting that all other CFE states continue to participate faithfully in inspections and information exchanges. He regretted that non-implementation of its obligations under CFE by the State Party holding the largest conventional ground forces in Europe severely undercuts the military transparency that is the bedrock of mutual confidence in this sphere. ¶2. (SBU) In response, Portugal, Georgia, the UK, Belgium, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Romania, Italy, Turkey and Spain intervened in support of the U.S. Russia (Ulyanov) remained silent after these interventions. This was the only item raised during the meeting. The next JCG will be held on October 6 under Canada's chairmanship. The Chair of the NATO-T also passes to Canada for the month of October. There was no NATO-T this week. CHRISTENSEN