Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USOSCE258
2009-11-17 16:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Mission USOSCE
Cable title:  

CFE/JCG: NOVEMBER 17: COMMEMORATING ISTANBUL;

Tags:  KCFE OSCE PARM PREL 
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
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FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6714
INFO RUCNCFE/CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1772
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-DDPMA-IN/CAC/DDPMA-E// PRIORITY
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XONP// PRIORITY
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEASWA/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC//OSAE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000258 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR FRIEDT, NILSSON, 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: NOVEMBER 17: COMMEMORATING ISTANBUL;
PREPARING FOR ATHENS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000258

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR FRIEDT, NILSSON, 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: NOVEMBER 17: COMMEMORATING ISTANBUL;
PREPARING FOR ATHENS


1. (SBU) Summary. At the November 17 Joint Consultative
Group (JCG) plenary, Greece supported by 14 other
delegations, including the U.S., raised the Russian
Federation's refusal to its recent CFE inspection request.
The French Chair commemorated the tenth anniversary of the
Istanbul Summit 1999. The Chair also sought comments on the
draft JCG Chairman's letter to the Ministerial Council and
the draft JCG contribution for the ministerial declaration.
In light of the reinforced PC on November 24, the date and
time of the next JCG plenary is to be determined. End
summary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Commemorating Istanbul 1999
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -


2. (SBU) The November 17 JCG was chaired by French
Ambassador Alabrune, who opened the meeting with brief
remarks commemorating the tenth anniversary of the OSCE
Summit in Istanbul (November 17-19, 1999) when all States
Parties signed the adapted CFE Treaty. Russian Head of
Military Security and Arms Control delegation Mikhail Ulyanov
said in the last ten years the JCG had made a stark departure
from the cooperative spirit that marked Istanbul. He said
the JCG was in a "virtual stalemate" with a "strict ban on
real exchange" among JCG members. He wondered whether we had
"reached the point of no return." He cautioned that if we
did not initiate negotiations in early 2010 to save CFE, we
might have to acknowledge it was dead.


3. (SBU) Ulyanov observed that NATO currently was preparing
its traditional yearly communique on a wide range of
subjects, including CFE. He noted the previous two
communiques had urged the Russian Federation toward
constructive engagement. In Ulyanov's opinion, however, NATO
had assumed a "passive stance" and was the one who needed to
constructively engage. He hoped the NATO communique would
include "better wording" this year. Lastly, Ulyanov asked
when the Alliance would provide feedback to the Russian
Aide-Memoire, "Restoring the Viability of the CFE Treaty: A
Way Forward." circulated on May 5 in the JCG.


4. (SBU) The U.S. (Ellis) underscored its commitment to
full implementation of the CFE Treaty. Ellis noted that the

U.S. was ready to engage in discussions in a positive,
constructive manner, and that it regretted Russia's
dissatisfaction with progress made to date as expressed by
the Russian rep. today, adding the lines of communication
from the U.S. perspective were still open.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fifteen States Concerned over Russian Refusal
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


5. (SBU) Greece (Kalpadakis) raised Russia's refusal last
week for a CFE inspection. Fourteen other delegations,
including the U.S., registered support for the Greek
statement and reaffirmed their commitment to full CFE
implementation. The U.S. (Ellis) noted if the Russian
Federation wants to engage constructively and positively in
strengthening the European security architecture it should
end its "suspension" of CFE Treaty implementation. Ulyanov
replied the Russian Federation had imposed a "moratorium" on
CFE "after eight years of patiently waiting for NATO to
comply with its own Istanbul Commitments for the expeditious
ratification of adapted CFE." This led the Russian
Federation to realize entry into force of a/CFE "was scanty."
Ulyanov also said "the last drop" was Georgia's request that
"military pensioners and children" leave Gudauta. According
to Russia, NATO's silence on this matter implied its
approval. Ulyanov said the "Russian-American package" needed
to be approved to overcome the CFE impasse. (COMMENT:
Ulyanov has referred to the parallel actions package on
several occasions as the Russian-American package. End
comment.)

USOSCE 00000258 002 OF 003




6. (SBU) Georgia (Giorgadze) in reply to Ulyanov's earlier
comment that the JCG had done nothing since 2000 noted
post-Yeltsin leadership did not engage in democratic
negotiations on European security, including CFE. Giorgadze
indicated that Georgia, too, waited "eight long years" for
the withdrawal of Russian troops but all it got was "five
more military bases and 20 percent more of its country
occupied" by Russian forces. Giorgadze believed the
detainment of four Georgian teenagers by Russian forces in
South Ossetia one week ago was not indicative of Russia's
willingness to move forward. Russia (Ulyanov) accused the
Georgian rep of poor "diplomatic etiquette" (for singling out
Putin's administration) and requested him to adhere to the
ways of "civilized conduct that characterized international
diplomacy."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chair's Letter and Ministerial Paragraph
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


7. (SBU) The French Chair observed the draft JCG Chairman's
letter (JCG.DEL/3/09) circulated November 16 and the draft
JCG ministerial contribution (JCG.DEL/2/09) circulated
October 23 were open for comment. The Chair noted it had
received some informal comments which pointed to
discrepancies. (COMMENT: In previous NATO-T and Quad
meetings France was pessimistic that a Chairman's letter
would be agreed, but indicated its duty as Chair was to make
good faith efforts on both texts. It was somewhat surprising
that France did not incorporate comments received by Romania
and the U.S., or from any other delegation, into the draft
letter circulated on November 16. End comment.) Greece
(Kalpadakis) believed both drafts were "a good start."
Germany (Genrich) did not want unsuccessful attempts in
previous years to dash our hopes for a letter and ministerial
declaration paragraph for Athens. The German rep supported
both drafts with minor editorial suggestions, and recalled
that a joint declaration was adopted this year in Berlin
"without reference to different views and without wishing to
belittle those differences." Russia expressed willingness to
work with both texts "concentrating on matters that bring us
together," facts, and way ahead. Ulyanov said the
Chairman's letter should reflect there is no common view on
the role of the JCG, that substantive matters are discussed
elsewhere. Belarus (Krayushkin) endorsed the Russian
comments.


8. (SBU) Romania (Matei) generally commented that both
texts needed further improvement to reflect accurately the
current situation. The U.S. (Ellis) agreed with some of what
Ulyanov had said and underscored the importance that any JCG
contribution to a possible ministerial declaration be factual
and relevant. Ellis noted U.S. proposed amendments to the
Chairman's letter, previously shared with the letter's
authors (France/Spain/Denmark),would be shared with all.


9. (SBU) Spain (Sabadell),as previous JCG chair, noted
differing views persisted when France, Spain, and Denmark
began drafting. That was why, Sabadell said, the authors had
tried to be "as factual and objective" as possible. He
believed neither of the two texts "attempted to hide
discrepancies." The French Chair said it would pursue
informal consultations in order to arrive at revised versions
of the texts.

- - - - - - - - - -
Next JCG Meetings
- - - - - - - - - -


10. (SBU) Turkey (Begec) inquired whether the French Chair
intended to hold a JCG meeting at Athens. Ambassador
Alabrune did not commit to a meeting, instead suggesting to
see how informal consultations turned out. Georgia
(Giorgadze) clarified that a JCG meeting in Athens would be

USOSCE 00000258 003 OF 003


chaired by Georgia; although Georgia was not planning to hold
such a meeting, it realized the situation might change.


11. (SBU) In light of a reinforced PC on November 24, the
date and time of the next JCG plenary (to be chaired by
France) is to be determined. At this week's NATO-T, the
Croatian chair asked whether delegations felt the need to
hold a T next week. The U.S. (Ellis) signaled we should be
driven by substance and the need for coordination.
FULLER