OPEN SKIES: FEBRUARY 23 PLENARY AND IWGRP -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000045 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA JCS FOR J-5 OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) NSC FOR HAYES EUCOM FOR J-5 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE SUBJECT: OPEN SKIES: FEBRUARY 23 PLENARY AND IWGRP - MOVING FORWARD ON DIGITAL SENSORS ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Open Skies Consultative Commission adopted the "Chairperson's Statement on Specifications for Allowed Video Sensors," and the "Prolonging the Work of the Informal Working Group on Sensors into the Year 2009" decision. The U.S., the UK, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, and Belgium voiced support for the two documents and highlighted the importance and urgency of the transition to digital sensors. In the Informal Working Group on Rules and Procedures there was agreement to send the most recent version of "Revision Five of Decision Number One" to the March 23 Plenary for adoption. Washington please see paragraphs 6 and 8. End Summary. GIANT STEP FOR DIGITAL SENSORS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) The Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC) met on February 23 under the Chairmanship of Belgium (Kenes). USDEL (Duong) delivered the status report from the Chairman of the Informal Working Group on Sensors (Simmons,IWGS). In the report, Simmons summarized the importance of the Chairman's Statement that was up for adoption. He informed the Plenary that the specifications in the statement will become the core of the new Revision One to Decision 14 and that, with this adoption, the IWGS will move forward to complete the other sections of the decision. Simmons' top three priorities for the IWGS in 2009 included: Revision One to Decision 14; Digital Image Processing Decision; and Revision Two to Decision 17. Simmons also informed the Plenary of the passing of Professor Wieslaw Debski of Poland. Debski had been a productive member of the IWGS and his expertise and experienced will be greatly missed (OSCC.SEN/1/09). ¶3. (SBU) In quick succession the Plenary adopted the "Chairperson's Statement on Specifications for Allowed Video Sensors" (OSCC.DEL/19/08/Rev.1) and the "Prolonging the Work of the Informal Working Group on Sensors into the Year 2009" decision (OSCC.DEC/1/09). USDEL (Duong) voiced support for the statement and decision. Duong noted the importance of the Chairman's Statement was that it will allow States Parties to begin the long process of digital sensors procurement. He also emphasized the importance of reaching agreement on the draft Decision for Revision One to Decision 14 and urged States Parties to work for its adoption as soon as possible (OSCC.DEL/1/09/Corr.1). ¶4. (SBU) The UK (Macleod) welcomed the progress made by the IWGS. Macleod noted the increasing need for advances in the IWGS to allow for the necessary modernization of sensors and platforms. She called on all States Parties to work expeditiously on the remaining decision and for the OSCC to keep the work of the IWGS under review in order to support its efforts and to help the Open Skies community find a practical way forward. Germany, Sweden, Turkey, and Belgium voiced their support for the U.S. statement and/or the UK's intervention. 2009 OPEN SKIES IMPLEMENTATION - OFF TO A GOOD START - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (SBU) Russia and Turkey reported on the successful Russian observation flight over Turkey that took place on February 16-20. The mission was conducted in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. COST DECISION TO NEXT PLENARY FOR ADOPTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) Immediately following the OSCC Plenary, the Informal Working Group on Rules and Procedures (IWGRP) met and discussed the latest version of "Revision Five of Decision Number One" (OSCC.RP/17/08/Rev.3/Corr.7). The IWGRP Chairman (Kozlov) had incorporated Turkey's textual suggestions from the January meeting into paragraphs 13 and USOSCE 00000045 002 OF 002 16 of the draft decision and was seeking comments from delegations. Germany, Sweden, and Turkey voiced their support for the current version. The IWGRP agreed to send the draft decision to the Plenary for adoption at the March 23 OSCC meeting. USDEL believes the latest draft decision satisfies all of Washington's interests. Unless otherwise directed, USDEL will join consensus on this version of "Revision Five of Decision Number One" at the next OSCC Plenary. ¶7. (SBU) With the work completed on the draft decision "Revision Five of Decision Number One," and due to the lack of any other urgent and substantive topic on the working group's agenda, the IWGRP Chairman placed the IWGRP on "standby." Kozlov will reconvene the working group as necessary. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NOT READY FOR OSCC? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. (SBU) On the margins of the meetings on February 23, USDEL (Duong) met with Axel Kenes (Belgium, OSCC Chairman) to discuss the next OSCC session. Kenes informed USDEL that he had difficulties coordinating with the Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) Delegation on the hand-off of the OSCC Chairmanship as BiH is due to chair the next OSCC session in April. Kenes believes that BiH is either not ready or not willing to take on the chairmanship and that, although undesirable, it may be necessary to ask Bulgaria to lead the next OSCC session. Duong said that it was important for each delegation to take on their responsibility and that all efforts should be made to urge Bosnia-Herzegovina to take on this important duty. Kenes agreed and said that he would continue to engage the BiH Delegation and keep USDEL informed of future developments. USDEL will continue to push for Bosnia-Herzegovina to assume their duty, but would like additional guidance from Washington on this matter. Can we support Bulgaria assuming the Chairmanship in place of Bosnia-Herzegovina? It may be necessary for Washington to demarche Sarajevo on this matter. ¶9. (SBU) On February 4, USDEL held an informal meeting with the Western European Union (WEU) Group of States Parties under the Treaty to discuss the 1995 declaration and associated statements. Per the Winter/Spring 2009 Guidance, USDEL provided a memo outlining the issue and copies of the 1995 statements to the relevant parties in an effort to raise awareness of the terms of the old agreement. Greece clarified that a legal review was done on the status of the WEU with respect to Open Skies in 2000, and they agreed that the 1995 declaration would continue for the purposes of the Open Skies Treaty. This subject did not transfer to the wider European Union, and remains with the original WEU members only. Some of the delegations affected by the agreement during the last two years (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium) said the matter was being reviewed in capitals but the initial reactions considered the declaration still in force and supported continued implementation of the declaration as written. Several thought it would be difficult to withdraw or change the terms of the declaration and did not want to send a negative signal about a treaty that is working well. USDEL assured delegations that our goal of information sharing on the subject has been met, and asked to be informed if the WEU states decide to change their policy after further review. ¶10. (U) The next OSCC Plenary will be on March 23 under the Chairmanship of Belgium. SCOTT