CFE/JCG: FEBRUARY 17, 2009 PLENARY

UNCLAS USOSCE 000040 SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM NSC FOR HAYES JCS FOR J5/COL NORWOOD OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCFE OSCE PARM PREL RS SUBJECT: CFE/JCG: FEBRUARY 17, 2009 PLENARY ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The U.S. informed the JCG that, on February 13, Russia had rejected a request by the United States to conduct a CFE inspection. Calling the Russian Federation's continuing rejection of inspections a clear act of non-compliance, the U.S. urged Russia to work cooperatively with other concerned CFE States Parties to reach an agreement on the basis of the Parallel Actions Package. Allies voiced their support for the U.S. statement while Russia remained silent. End summary. IT'S ABOUT YOUR NONCOMPLIANCE...COMRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) The February 17, 2009 JCG Plenary met under the Chairmanship of Turkey. The U.S. announced that on February 13, Russia had rejected a request by the United States to conduct a CFE inspection. As in the last meeting, USDEL pointed out to Russia that 29 States Parties are fully complying with the provisions of the CFE Treaty and that Russia's rejections are clear acts of non-compliance with its Treaty obligations. USDEL urged Russia to work cooperatively with all concerned CFE States Parties to reach agreement on the basis of the Parallel Actions Package so that all can preserve the benefits of the landmark regime. DITTO - DITTO - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) In a series of short interventions, Allies (Romania, Germany, Poland, the UK, the Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, and France) expressed regret and disappointment at Russia's rejection and voiced their support for the U.S. statement. Romania (Matei) was concerned with the continuous erosion of the CFE regime. Germany (Richter) called CFE an anchor of stability that must be maintained. Italy (Landi) was upset at the "problem plaguing the CFE Treaty," and Turkey hoped that there would be progress in 2009. ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Russian Chief Arms Control Delegate Mikhail Ulyanov was not present at the Plenary. The Russian representative in the chair remained silent as Allies piled on their disapproval of Russian inspection rejection. ¶5. (U) The next JCG meeting will take place on February 24 under Ukraine's Chairmanship. SCOTT