FSC OF NOVEMBER 25: "ISSUES" AND OTHERS TO BE

UNCLAS USOSCE 000269 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 OF NOVEMBER 25: "ISSUES" AND OTHERS TO BE DISCUSSED IN ATHENS REF: A. STATE 121301 ¶B. STATE 121091 ¶1. (SBU) The Forum for Security Cooperation's Working Group B (WGB) preceded the plenary in order to determine whether any of the draft decisions intended to be presented to the OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens could be moved forward. Of the four draft substantive items on the agenda only the FSC input for the Athens Ministerial Council Declaration (MC.GAL/5/09/Rev.2) moved to the FSC plenary where it was approved for Athens. The UK Chair (Gare) retained the FSC's Issues Relevant Decision, Ukraine's Non-Proliferation Declaration, and Russia's proposed VD99 Review on the agenda for a WGB to be convened in Athens at a date and time to be determined. ¶2. (SBU) Discussions on the draft "Issues Relevant to the FSC" (MC.DD/8/09/Rev.5) and on the Non-Proliferation Draft Declaration (FSC.DEL/199/09/Rev.2) were deferred due to the absence of formal instructions among some delegations. Russia (Ulyanov) again instigated a lengthy discussion on its proposal for a Ministerial Decision on VD99 (FSC.DEL/203/09/Rev.1/Corr.1 -- now listing Kazakhstan as a co-sponsor alongside Belarus). There was no expressed change of position among delegates, but Russia noted its determination to keep the issue on the agenda for discussion in Athens. Interestingly Germany (Risse) nuanced its intervention on VD99 review calling for a "clear mandate from the Ministerial Council whether in a separate decision or other clear statement." Germany, however, did not respond to a U.S. (Ellis) question on whether Germany had language to propose in lieu of a separate decision. ¶3. (SBU) Under WGB Agenda Item 7, "Any other business," Finland reported on an additional euros 62K for the SALW/SCA project targeting refurbishment of a storage facility in Moldova Moldova (Cuc) requested other donors to help in financing the project and noted Spain was expected to make a similar contribution. Croatia reported on its National Expert Workshop on Cyber-Security that was held on 23-24 November in Zagreb, noting that UN, EU, COE and OSCE officials -- including the ATU's participation -- helped make the workshop a success. The U.S. (Ellis) made a point to thank Croatia for keeping cyber-security on the agenda, and added that the U.S. would be returning to this topic in due course. Working Group "A" -- Drafts agreed ¶4. (SBU) WGA moved to plenary the two draft decisions on its agenda -- Agenda and Modalities of the 20th AIAM (FSC.DD/9/09/Rev.2) and the update on FSC Decision 15/02 on Expert Advice on Implementationof Sectino V of the OSCE Document on SALW (FSC.DD/12/09). (NOTE: The FSC Plenary subsequently approved both decisions. End Note.) ¶5. (SBU) The CPC reported on the Vienna Document training conference it held in Ashgabat from 18-19 November, focusing on instruments and exchanges. The CPC also worked with Turkmenistanis to acquaint them with the exchange of military information and SALW issues. Finally, the CPC announced that it had determined that Turkmenistan's connection to the OSCE Communications Network was deemed "technically feasible." ¶6. (SBU) The next meeting of WGA is scheduled for December 9, following the FSC Plenary and WGB. OLESEN