FSC: RUSSIA AND GEORGIA EXCHANGE ON TAGLIAVINI

UNCLAS USOSCE 000221 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, VCI/NRRC, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA, EUR/CARC, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, PM/WRA, ISN/CPI NSC FOR SHERWOOD-RANDALL, HAYDEN, MCFAUL, HOVENIER, NILSSON, FRIEDT OSD FOR ISA (WALLENDER, KEHL) JCS, EUCOM, USAREUR AND CENTCOM: FOR J-5 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS XG SUBJECT: FSC: RUSSIA AND GEORGIA EXCHANGE ON TAGLIAVINI REPORT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The exchange between Russia and Georgia on the release of the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia (IIFMCG or Tagliavini Report) dominated the October 7 FSC discussion. Russia underscored Georgia's responsibility for the outbreak of the conflict, and noted that support from "some EU and non-EU members" had emboldened Georgia to violate international norms and law. Georgia's response accepted a measure of responsibility for initiating the attack on Tskhinvali as an act of self-defense, but it challenged Russia to commit to an OSCE dialogue regarding the recommendations--presumably the 12 "observations"--contained within the Tagliavini Report, rather than polemics. End Summary. Presentation on Principles of German Defense Policy ¶2. (SBU) German State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Rudiger Wolf presented "Principles and Policies of German Defense Policy. Wolf reviewed the German perspective on the twenty-first century's security risks and challenges. Wolf emphasized cross-sectoral mechanisms that would build linkages among civil society political and civil-military entities as priorities in German security policy. He said Germany required multilateralism for its international engagement. He also underscored Germany's commitment to NATO, EU and OSCE, as well as to the UN, as mutually-reinforcing institutions that focus energies towards addressing common threats including, terrorism, WMD proliferation, organized crime (e.g., cybercrime, trafficking in persons),and dealing with weak or failed states (e.g., the absence or rule of law, democracy and good governance). He noted there was no longer a clear dividing line between national and international security. Russia and Georgia Spar on Tagliavini Report ¶3. (SBU) Russia Ulyanov highlighted the Tagliavini report's conclusion that Georgia bore responsibility for initiating the August 2008 war. Russia then proceeded to read the Russian Federation's official statement regarding the conclusions of the report. Ulyanov did, however, ad lib remarks about the involvement of "other" OSCE state members that were directly or indirectly involved in training and supplying the Georgian military. He admonished those members to follow the report's recommendations for "maximum restraint and caution in the future" involving arms supplies. ¶4. (SBU) Ulyanov also noted "vagaries" in the report's reference to the disproportionate use of force by Russian troops during the conflict. He justified Russian actions under Article 51 of the UN Charter and the requirement to stop Georgia's aggression, "using only the force that was necessary to remove the threat to South Ossetia. Ulyanov also attributed some of the "vague conclusions" in the report to "political clout held by some EU states." He concluded that, contrary to those who do not want to focus on the initiator of the conflict but want to focus on the future, "if it (the origin of conflict) is not important, then they would indulge future military adventurism," and hoped OSCE was not of the same mind. ¶5. (SBU) Georgia (Gaprindashvili) responded by agreeing with Russia on the importance of continuing discussion in the OSCE, especially the FSC, to find ways "to resolve the conflict between Russia and Georgia." Gaprindashvili expressed "astonishment" that Ulyanov repeated the Russian MFA statement that focused on only two pages out of hundreds containing analysis and observations. Gaprindashvili asked if Russia subscribed to the full findings of the whole report, and not limit its interests solely on the shelling of Tskhinvali? He then began a point-by-point refutation of the Russian position, and challenged Russia to discuss at OSCE the recommendations contained within the Tagliavini report. ¶6. (SBU) Sweden (Byren) issued a reserved statement on behalf of the EU. The U.S. (Neighbour) made a statement drawn from Assistant Secretary Crowley's September 30 remarks. Following the EU and U.S. statements, first Russia and then Georgia had a second exchange; Russia continued to bring the discussion back to blaming Georgia for the war, and Georgia challenging Russia to discuss the recommendations in the FSC. Gaprindashvili said, "We don't disagree on who started the August action, but we want to focus on the future. Please come up with an answer to how we proceed with the report's recommendations." OSCE Project on Stockpiles in Ukraine ¶7. (SBU) Denmark (Petersen) as FSC Coordinator on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA) reported on the late-September donors' visit to Crimea to assess the OSCE project of the Removal of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). Noting WWII ERW contaminated areas within the vicinity of two cities in Ukraine, Petersen reported on the efforts to remove 52,000 unexploded objects since 2001 (and the problems of 150 casualties in Ukraine over the last ten years). He thanked the Ukraine Ministry of Emergency Situations and the U.S. for their support. Russia on Naval CSBM (again) ¶8. (SBU) Russia Ulyanov introduced the revisions to its Proposal for a Draft Decision on CSBM measures in the naval area (FSC.DEL/120/08/Rev.2). Ulyanov said the language on tonnage (page 1) for warships and submarines was amended upon the recommendation from Kazakhstan. He asked for reactions to the Russian desire for an exchange of military information on naval vessels. Discussion ended because no delegation responded to the Russian appeal. (Comment: Russia is keeping this issue on the agenda. End Comment.) Working Group "A" ¶9. (SBU) No current implementation issues were raised for discussion under Agenda Item 1. Under Item 2, VD99, Russia Ulyanov deferred consensus on the draft decision on the Agenda and Modalities of the Twentieth Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting (FSC.DD/9/09) until it received instructions from Moscow. Ulyanov suggested, however, the possibility of improvements to the AIAM agenda to reflect "shifting activities" and consequently "a change in modalities." The UK Chair (Gare) noted the document was identical to last year's, and placed the draft decision on the next agenda. -- The draft decision on the Best Practice Guide for Implementation of VD99, Chapter IV, Contacts (FSC.DD/6/09/Rev.2) was moved out of the Working Group and will be on the agenda for the Joint FSC-PC plenary on October ¶14. -- Turkey advised that it would soon release a revised version of its proposal for a draft decision on the use of digital cameras and GPS (FSC.DEL/124/09). ¶10. (SBU) Under Agenda Item 3, the Coordinator for SA/LW (UK-Hartnell) referred to his Food-For-Thought paper on SA/LW (FSC.DEL/151/09) as a technical update to the assistance request procedures. Sweden, Denmark and France confirmed their co-sponsorship of the paper. ¶11. (SBU) There were no issues for discussion under Agenda Item 4 (SCA),Item 5 (Code of Conduct) or Item 6 (CSBMs). Under Item 7 (AOB) the CPC drew the FSC's attention to the Third Quarterly CPC Survey on CSBM Information Exchange in 2009 (FSC.GAL/102/09) was circulated. The CPC would welcome any report of omissions or inaccuracies. ¶12. (SBU) The next meeting of FSC Working Groups "B" and "A" will follow immediately after the Joint FSC-PC plenary on October 14. Fuller