Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USOSCE251
2009-11-10 16:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Mission USOSCE
Cable title:  

FSC OF NOVEMBER 4: U.S. APPEARS ISOLATED FROM

Tags:  KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS XG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6137
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHVEN #0251/01 3141617
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101617Z NOV 09 ZDK UR SVC # 00617 ZDK ZDK ZDK ZDK
FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHLE/AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USOSCE 000251 

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: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS XG
SUBJECT: FSC OF NOVEMBER 4: U.S. APPEARS ISOLATED FROM
ALLIES BY RUSSIA'S DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECISION ON VD99 REVIEW

REF: STATE 111008

USOSCE 00000251 001.3 OF 004


Classified By: Chief Arms Control Delegate Hugh Neighbour; Reasons 1.4(
b)(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USOSCE 000251

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: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS XG
SUBJECT: FSC OF NOVEMBER 4: U.S. APPEARS ISOLATED FROM
ALLIES BY RUSSIA'S DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECISION ON VD99 REVIEW

REF: STATE 111008

USOSCE 00000251 001.3 OF 004


Classified By: Chief Arms Control Delegate Hugh Neighbour; Reasons 1.4(
b)(d).


1. (SBU) Summary: Reactions to Russia's draft decision for
Ministers to task a review of Vienna Document 1999 dominated
the FSC plenary discussion. Most comments were favorable "in
principle." Inter alia, Russia proposed presenting the
results from a VD99 review to the next OSCE Ministerial
meeting in Astana in 2010. Russia also would request the
OSCE Secretary General to submit ten year's worth of
statistical data on VD99 implementation to the FSC by
February 1, 2010.


2. (SBU) The U.S. was alone in its arguments against the
Russian proposal, underscoring instead interest to
"strengthen current arms control and CSBM instruments."
Indeed, Turkey, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal,
Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, and Greece swiftly expressed varying
degrees of support for Russia's unhelpful proposal. Allies
which we believe share U.S. concerns were silent. Russia
also presented two other suggestions for the agenda and
modalities for the AIAM (in Working Group A) and on Issues
Relevant to the FSC (in Working Group B),both of which
centered on VD99 language compatible with Russia's draft
decision. The FSC received Ukraine's proposal for a draft
Ministerial Declaration on non-proliferation. Preliminary
reactions to Ukraine's proposal were generally positive. End
summary.

FSC Plenary: one hour for general statements!


3. (SBU) Under General Statements, Ukraine's Ambassador
Velchenko made a special appearance to introduce its draft
proposal for a Ministerial Declaration on Non-Proliferation.
The statement noted that adoption of the OSCE declaration at
the Athens Ministerial would "send a strong signal to all NPT

member states." Kazakhstan (Mayermanov),Greece
(Kalpadakis),the U.S. (Neighbour) and Turkey (Begec) made
favorable comments.


4. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) noted the Ukraine draft was
relevant and that Russia was prepared to work with Ukraine to
ensure the text drew on the "set language" developed in other
international forums. Russia also noted the "imbalance" in
that the text did not reference the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy nor did Russia approve of the singular reference to
the Chemical Weapons convention. (Note: The U.S. (Ellis) )
during Working Group B (WGB) - reported it had shared its
comments on the draft Ministerial Declaration directly with
Ukraine, underscoring the need for a reference to UNSCR 1540
among other points. The FSC Chair (UK-Gare) requested
Ukraine to meet with Russia and the U.S. to work out the
changes to the draft text prior to the next WGB. Ukraine,
U.S., and Russia will meet to consolidate the draft on
November 9. End note.)

Russia Rolls Out Proposal for VD99 Review


5. (SBU) Russia presented its proposed draft Ministerial
Decision calling for a review of Vienna Document 1999 (VD99)
contained in (FSC.DEL/203/09). Ulyanov said the reasons for
the review were "understood," calling the document "aged."
He said only half of VD99 works and it continues to become
less effective and needed to be "brought in line with the
changed realities." He argued for a review to identify
provisions that would need to be updated or expanded, and
that the findings would need to be addressed. He called for
a collaborative approach for comparing "national vantage
points." Ulyanov noted the Russian proposal was developed to
avoid a "radical rework of the text." The results of the
review would culminate in a report to the 2010 Ministerial in
Astana, without prejudice to what the report would say, he
emphasized. Finally, Russia pointed out it had inserted
language requesting assistance from the OSCE SecGen for the

USOSCE 00000251 002.2 OF 004


development of statistical data points on the implementation
of VD99 over the past ten years.


6. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) delivered reftel guidance
opposing this ill-considered initiative. He added that
Russian criticism of VD99 was surprising since Russia clearly
benefitted the most among participating States from VD99's
provisions, conducting almost as many inspections and
evaluations as all other states combined. He also noted U.S.
concern with the open-ended nature of the proposed review,
underscoring that the timing for the Russian proposal was
ambitious for the Athens Ministerial meeting in December.

Chorus of Allied Support for Russia's VD99 Proposal


7. (SBU) Turkey (Begec) noted Russian views of VD99 were
well-known and the draft would receive "detailed analysis,"
but in principle Turkey supported an assessment of VD99.
Germany (Genrich) reminded the FSC that it has previously
indicated interest to review VD99 "to adapt to the realities
in Europe." The first step would be to examine VD99
together. Genrich said, in the context of the Corfu process
it was clearly necessary to signal "a willingness" and
"renewed commitment" to deal with these issues, thus Germany
supported the Russian proposal.


8. (SBU) Italy (Negro) echoed the German sentiment, and
called its support for a review of VD99 a "position of
principle" in that it was something that always existed in
the OSCE toolbox and "fit within the tradition of the FSC and
OSCE." Negro added -- like Turkey and Germany -- Italy was
"ready to commit to discuss the draft decision." France
(Simonet) and Spain (Sabadell) made similar comments. France
added, however, that substance was important, and if
consensus could not be achieved on the review of VD99, it was
willing to seek other means to do the substance of the work.
Portugal and Luxembourg also supported "the principle of
review," echoing France's observations. Kazakhstan said it
was looking into co-sponsoring the draft decision alongside
Russia and Belarus. Romania (Matei) preferred a gradual,
"step-by-step" approach for targeted improvements of VD99 "as
a matter of principle." Greece said it would examine the
Russian proposal "with great interest."


9. (SBU) Comment: The majority of delegates were
uninstructed. The next FSC may be quite animated and
probably further polarizing views on the relationship between
VD99 and the Corfu Process. Russia's Ulyanov will continue
to insert VD99 review language at every opportunity now,
claiming he has been given the green light "in principle" by
so many NATO Allies. Although Ulyanov admitted to USDel
(Neighbour) he knows Russia's proposal cannot be adopted in
Athens, he said he sees it as a useful tool to pressure the
U.S. End comment.

SA/LW and MANPADS Disposal


10. (SBU) Under Any Other Business, Denmark (Petersen)
reported on 30K Euros contribution to the Small Arms Light
Weapons (SA/LW) and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition
(SCA) project in Georgia, noting, however, that because there
is no OSCE presence, the project is in need of an
implementing partner. Denmark appealed to the CPC for
assistance in this matter. Denmark also announced a 50K Euro
contribution for the Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) project
in Ukraine. He noted this was the first contribution to the
360K Euro budget, and asked for other donors.


11. (SBU) The CPC (Salber) noted that the final Report on
Implemnetation of MANPADS Disposal Project in Cyprus was
available (FSC.GAL/118/09). Slaber praised the project for
its strong organization, level of expertise among the EOD
teams, and "outstanding levels of cooperation and
transparency." Cyprus expressed appreciation for U.S. and UK
assistance and contributions, and showed a short video of the
actual destruction ceremony. The U.S. (Neighbour) made a

USOSCE 00000251 003 OF 004


statement in support of the project.

Working Group "B" ) Russia Seeks to Add Issues to FSC Load


12. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) shared its suggestions for
changing the draft decision on "Issues Relevant to the FSC"
that is to be forwarded to the Athens Ministerial Council
(MC.DD/8/09/Rev.1). Ulyanov argued for taking into account
"the fcators that have led to the European Security Dialogue"
so that Ministers can "specify" the structure and agenda for
the FSC. He cited a need to concentrate on "a common
deliberation on ways to improve the implementation of OSCE
principles in the political-military arena." He emphasized
the problem was not the OSCE principles themselves, but how
they were implemented. (Comment: it was difficult to discern
whether the irony was lost on most delegates. End comment.)


13. (SBU) Ulyanov went on to call the current arms control
regime "impoverished." He accused "some" participating
States of selective discrimination when it comes to applying
OSCE principles. Ulyanov pointed out that the "U.S. view" of
the applicability of crisis prevention mechanisms should be
extended to all political-military documents in the OSCE.
Consequently, Ulyanov called for a collective effort to
review all current political-military instruments because the
response to crisis situations is not effective. He added
that the draft decision on VD99 review was "a case in its own
right, meriting separate consideration."


14. (SBU) Most delegates had not seen Russia's drafting
suggestions (FSC.DEL/204/09); they were not circulated
electronically until 4 pm, Wednesday afternoon. Those who had
seen the paper focused their initial remarks on Op. 2, 4th
bullet: "Elaborate, in parallel with the Permanent Council, a
single set of principles for the resolution of conflicts to
be applied equally to every crisis situation in the OSCE
area." France (Simonet) warned that such a set of principles
would be too minimalist to be effective since every crisis is
different. The Netherlands (Kleinjan) called the Russian
changes "ambitious." Italy (Negro) said it could "see the
rationale" behind the Russian changes. Azerbaijan
(Huseyinli) questioned whether the FSC Issues document was
the right place to insert language on post-conflict
resolution. Latvia warned not to prejudge Corfu discussions
through the FSC Issues paper.


15. (SBU) Ulyanov elaborated that the proposed set of
principles would be applied equally so that some States would
not "twist and turn" OSCE instruments depending on the
circumstances. He said, for example, there should be basic
"codified" rules such as non-use of force; the principle of
using diplomatic means to resolve crises; and a step-by-step
formula that would require consent form the parties to the
conflict. Ulyanov noted the Russian approach was derivative
from the scope of the Corfu process for specialists to deal
with these aspects of security, adding "better than what one
would find in the HDIM. I see no contradiction (with
Corfu)." (Note: following Georgia's intervention,
discussion devolved to further exchanges on the merits of how
to reference the "armed conflict of 2008." End note.) The
UK Chair concluded there was need for an informal meeting of
WGB either before or after the next FSC plenary to resolve
some of the questions raised with the Issues paper.
(Comment: In that most delegates are uninstructed, it is
apparent that the UK is buying time to walk back some of the
Russian suggestions. End comment.)

Working Group "A" ) Russia continues its thrust


16. (SBU) (Note: Working Group "A" was convened in the
afternoon because the exchanges on Russia's proposals in the
plenary and WGB spilled over the allotted time. End note.)
Russia (Geyvandov) presented its changes to the Draft
Decision on the Agenda and Modalities of the 20th Annual
Implementation Assessment Meeting (FSC.DD/0/09). Russia
inserted language specifically calling for a "broader

USOSCE 00000251 004 OF 004


assessment of implementation of the agreed CSBMs and the
relevant OSCE instruments with a view to identifying possible
shortcomings and areas for improvements." There were no
substantive comments to the Russian language since delegates
were seeing the suggestions for the first time. The other
draft decisions on use of digital cameras
(FSC.DEL/124/09/Rev.1) and the Russian Food-for-Thought on
VD99 implementation (FSC.AIAM/2/09) remain on the agenda.
Finland joined as a co-sponsor of the Update of FSC Decision
15/02 on Expert Advice on Implementation of Section V of the
OSCE Document on SALW (FSC.DEL/193/09/Rev.1),which is
expected to move to plenary following the next WGA meeting.


17. (SBU) The UK Chair (Gare) noted November 6 was the
deadline for incorporating substantive changes to the FSC
Chairman's several Progress Reports (on SALW; SCA; Code of
Conduct on Political-Military Aspects of Security; and
Efforts in the Field of Arms Control Agreements and CSBMs).
The Reports will be forwarded to the publishers the following
week.


18. (U) The next FSC Plenary and Working Groups will be held
November 11.
FULLER