CFE/JCG: OCTOBER 6 PLENARY - RUSSIA RAISES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000219

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR FRIEDT, HAYDEN
JCS FOR J5 NORWOOD, COL SMITH
OSD FOR ISA (KEHL, WALLENDER)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL
SUBJECT: CFE/JCG: OCTOBER 6 PLENARY - RUSSIA RAISES
FAMILIAR POINTS FROM AIDE-MEMOIRE

Sensitive but Unclassified; please protect accordingly. Not
for Internet.

1.(SBU) Summary: At the October 6 Joint Consultative Group
(JCG) plenary, Russia offered familiar comments on paragraphs
7, 8, and 9 of its aide-memoire of 5 May 2009, &Restoring
the Viability of the CFE Treaty: A Way Forward.8 In
response, Moldova noted that its position had not changed.
The U.S. underlined that discussions on the Parallel Actions
Package are being held elsewhere and efforts to duplicate
those discussions in Vienna would not help resolve the
impasse. Russia plans to address paragraphs 10-12 of its
aide-memoire at the next JCG plenary on 13 October. End
Summary.
Russia's Familiar Views on Aide-memoire
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2. (SBU) At the October 6 JCG Plenary, the Russian Federation
(Ulyanov) recalled that in the Spring round of JCG meetings,
the Russian delegation would provide more detailed comments
on its 5 May aide-memoire, covering one or two topics at a
time. He then began with a definition of &substantial
combat forces.8 Ulyanov said that in July 2007, Russia
tabled a proposal for the definition. He lamented it was a
pity that Western colleagues had not found the time to study
or review this proposal in the JCG or at NATO. In general,
there has been no more progress in the last 2 months, so
Russia will proceed with discussing the aide memoire of 5
May.

3. (SBU) With respect to Para 7 of the aide-memoire, Russia
essentially read the text nearly verbatim. With respect to
Para 8, Russia reiterated its desire for the continued
presence of Russian forces in Moldova as agreed in 1992,
adding that the mandate should include OSCE civilian
observers. The mandate to continue this occupation should be
approved within 45 days after the Package is agreed.

4. (SBU) With respect to Para 9, Regional considerations
(Moldova and Georgia),Ulyanov claimed that positive
concessions had been made by Russia, and neither Moldova nor
Georgia,s roles had any bearing. Russia agreed to go along
under two conditions: that the package be well-balanced
(agreeing with other elements of the aide-memoire) and that
it have some measure of transparency while taking into
account the current situation. The Russian delegate then
stated that he would cover Paras 10 through 12 in detail at
the next JCG Plenary.
Moldova Affirms Longstanding Position
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5. (SBU) Moldova (Cuc) stated that its position on the
Russian forces in Moldova had not changed. The withdrawal
and disposal process should cover the Operative Group of
Russian Forces and its ammunition stockpiles, the military
contingent deployed in the Security Zone as a result of the
1992 Agreement on the principles of peaceful settlement of
the Transniestrian conflict, as well as the Treaty Limited
Equipment transferred to the Transniestrian regime.

6. (SBU) Moldova also confirmed its support of the Parallel
Actions Package with the view of resolving the crisis around
the CFE treaty. Moldova then stated that there is a need to
launch a dialogue with the participation of all interested
actors regarding the replacement of the military forces in
the Security Zone with a multinational, civilian mission
under an international mandate. Moldova noted its difference
with Russia's proposal Para 8 of the aide-memoire that the
current, so-called &peacekeeping8 mission be legitimized by
a PC decision. Finally Moldova stated that it will continue
to implement all aspects of the CFE Treaty and expected that
all other States Parties do the same.
U.S. Warning on Trying to Duplicate Bilat Talks
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7. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) replied that Russia's
aide-memoire had examined carefully by Washington and many
other CFE States Parties when distributed last spring. The
U.S. underlined that discussions on the Parallel Actions
Package are being held elsewhere and efforts to duplicate
those discussions in Vienna would not help resolve the
impasse.

8. (SBU) The next JCG will be held on 13 October under

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Canada's chairmanship. Russia plans to similarly provide
&additional8 information on paragraphs 10-12 of its
aide-memoire at that meeting.
Fuller