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
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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
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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
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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

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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?
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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