FSC: UNSCR 1540 TAKES CENTER STAGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000239 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: UNSCR 1540 TAKES CENTER STAGE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Russia shared more detailed remarks in Working Group A about their Food-for-Thought paper on analyzing Vienna Document 1999 implementation, including its interest in targeting specific provisions to reflect more accurately the political-military environment. There were some murmurings of agreement with the Russians by some pS at the FSC (and on the margins) that it may be time to begin some form of review on VD99. ¶2. (SBU) Russia is moving towards delivering a draft decision on VD99 review issue for the Athens Ministerial. Meanwhile, the Forum for Security Cooperation's Security Dialogue briefings from NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General Guy Roberts and U.S. 1540 Coordinator Tom Wuchte were well received, with general agreement the OSCE has a continuing role to play in support of 1540 implementation. Russia cautioned such efforts must not displace or substitute for the role of the 1540 Committee, but ultimately acknowledged there was room for further non-proliferation work within the OSCE context. (NOTE: RFG in para. 8. End note). End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) The 591st FSC was devoted to UNSCR 1540 with presentations by NATO D/ASYG for WMD Policy Guy Roberts and U.S. 1540 Coordinator Tom Wuchte. Roberts emphasized the importance of NATO seminars and outreach to other international organizations to help inventory capacities for addressing non-proliferation and related issues. He underscored the need for a comprehensive approach that avoided duplication and focused on practical cooperation consistent with the framework as agreed at the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit. Roberts noted that NATO could set up a "trust fund" in support of UNSCR 1540 implementation as one of the many tools for combating proliferation, in addition to NATO support for the NPT, CWC, BWC and efforts by Member States in the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. ¶4. (SBU) Roberts also discussed NATO's efforts at building consequence management capabilities, including through the lending of NATO support to national authorities if requested. He gave examples of the multi-dimensional character of NATO's efforts and the "strategic enablers" for facilitating NATO's abilities to combat WMD: intelligence and information sharing, CBRN "Reachback" (i.e., detection, characterization, forensic attribution and international outreach and partner activities, and public diplomacy and strategic communications). He noted NATO's readiness to provide assistance for addressing WMD issues and concerns, if asked. ¶5. (SBU) State Department 1540 Coordinator Tom Wuchte identified 1540 implementation as a "classic OSCE 'crossover' issue, underscoring the importance of incorporating all elements of the OSCE's work, not just the First Dimension portfolio. Wuchte noted that in addition to the development of the 1540 Best Practice Guide chapter on export controls, the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the CPC Borders Team, as well as the Supply Chain Security Workshop for the Mediterranean organized by the Greek CiO for December were examples of the cross-dimensional nature of the issue. He highlighted the tools that the U.S. worked to develop including PSI, the GICNT (with Russia),and EXBS program as efforts to build capacity for further implementation of UNSCR ¶1540. Wuchte underscored the OSCE's lead in developing regional approaches to support 1540 implementation, including through facilitating the efforts of participating States to address gaps in their implementation efforts. He noted that the 1540 Committee's limit of eight experts benefit greatly from the collaborative role of regional organizations like the OSCE. ¶6. (SBU) Following Sweden's statement of support (representing the EU and associate partner countries),Russia (Ulyanov) referenced its own Food-for-Thought (FFT) paper (FSC.DEL/169/09) cautioning pS that OSCE actions on 1540 must be in strict accordance with the Resolution and not make new demands on States; challenging the capacity of the OSCE to provide the appropriate level of expertise and resources; and avoiding duplication of efforts that are best done elsewhere. The U.S. (Ellis) noted that the OSCE was capable of moving USOSCE 00000239 002 OF 002 forward on facilitating 1540 implementation while also meeting the parameters that were raised in Russia's FFT. Working Group "B" -- SA/LW on the menu ¶7. (SBU) The UK Chair (Gare) introduced the Draft Ministerial Decision on SA/LW and SCA (MC.DD/4/09) as an "evolutionary, not revolutionary" text that builds on the Helsinki Ministerial Decision. In response to initial reactions to the draft, the U.S. (Ellis) volunteered that--pending guidance from Washington--the draft seemed "ambitious." ¶8. (SBU) Comment and Request for Guidance: The UK's SA/LW Coordinator (Hartnell) told us during private consultations on the draft following Tuesday's JCG, that the language was considered realistic in that release of the SA/LW Review Report (FSC.GAL/109/09) was imminent, and there was an obligation to meet goals that were agreed at the Helsinki Ministerial. USDEL would appreciate Washington's views on the SA/LW Draft Decision prior to the October 27 FSC in order to provide advance notice to the UK Chair. End Comment and RFG. Working Group "A" -- Russia softens tone on VD99 Review ¶9. (SBU) The WGA did not move any Draft Decision documents forward to the FSC plenary. Russia said it did not have instructions on AIAM Agenda and Modalities (FSC.DD/9/09) or on Digital Camera Usage under VD99 (FSC.DEL/124/09/Rev.1). Russia did review its main points from its FFT on an analysis of the implementation of VD99. Ulyanov softened his presentation by carefully separating out VD99 Chapters that were (A) successful but where there was room for improvement -- Chapters I (Information Exchange); IV (contacts: "could extend to naval CSBMs"); VII (calendars); VIII (constraining provisions); IX (compliance and verification: "lots of room for improvement); X (regional measures); XI (AIAM); and (B) clear failures -- Chapters II (Defense Planning),III (Risk Reduction)identifying areas. He warned against the consequences of "ten years of stagnation" that could put VD99 at risk of "losing its significance." In response to Denmark, Ulyanov said he was not proposing a radical overhaul of VD99, but the intent was to focus on "targeted packages," keeping what is valid and identifying those provisions that need amending. ¶10. (SBU) The U.S. (Ellis) cautioned against creating artificial targets or deadlines that would run counter to national legislative processes or calendars, such as the issues raised under Chapter II. In response to Austria, Ulyanov said his personal view was that the idea of updating VD99 has relevance to the Corfu Process, in that it "gained sway" within the scope of the European Security Dialogue. He emphasized, "It would send the best possible political signal on European Security if we were to move forward on this proposal." Belarus and Kazakhstan expressed support for the Russian position; Greece noted its support for broader "dynamism" in the Corfu Process. The UK Chair (Gare) said the topic would remain on the next WGA agenda. Other Issues ¶11. (SBU) The CPC (Salber) noted its invitation to the Third Meeting of the Heads of Verification Centers, to be held on 14 December, was distributed. The CPC would welcome food-for-thought papers for discussion at the meeting. Belarus said it was still uninstructed on whether to support the Update of 15/02 on Expert Advice on Implementation of Section V of the OSCE Document on SA/LW (FSC.DEL/151/09/Rev.1). There were no interventions on the remaining agenda topics. The next meeting of the FSC Plenary and Working Groups is set for Wednesday, October 28. CHRISTENSEN