FSC JANUARY 21: NEW ROUND, OLD AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000008 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR VCI/CCA, VCI/NRRC, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA, EUR/CARC, SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, PM/WRA, ISN/CPI JCS FOR J-5 OSD FOR ISA (PERENYI) NSC FOR HAYES USUN FOR LEGAL, POL EUCOM FOR J-5 CENTCOM FOR J-5 UNVIE FOR AC GENEVA FOR CD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE RS XG SUBJECT: FSC JANUARY 21: NEW ROUND, OLD AGENDA ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The winter 2009 session opened with no surprises with many agenda items remaining from the autumn 2008 round. The new French chair proposed a straight forward work plan for 2009 that includes long-established topics: CSBMs, small arms (SALW) and conventional ammunition (SCA), the Code of Conduct, and UNSCR 1540. ¶2. (SBU) The EU and others supported the work plan. Russia, too, offered support, noting it wanted "serious dialogue" on security issues and an improved CSBM regime in Europe. The U.S. offered support for addressing practical security concerns and implementation of CSBMs as well as continued efforts to implement UNSCR 1540 and prevent the proliferation of MANPADS. ¶3. (SBU) Ukraine reported Russia had exceeded certain bilaterally agreed arms limits pertaining to the Russian Black Sea Fleet stationed in Ukraine. Russia denied this but promised to provide clarification. End summary. FSC 2009 Work Plan -------------- ¶4. (SBU) France (Lebedel) opened its chairmanship of the FSC winter 2009 session with a rapid review of the new year's work plan as agreed by the 2009 FSC chairs, including Georgia and the UK (FSC.INF/4/09). Priorities include: -- intensified use of the Security Dialogue; -- continued implementation of existing OSCE documents in the political-military dimension (Vienna Document, SALW and conventional ammunition, the Code of Conduct) and the discussion of possible new initiatives (MC.DEC/11/08); and -- further work on UNSCR 1540 per the 2006 and 2008 decisions (FSC.DEC/10/06, MC.DEC/13/08). France and the other chairs also want to promote the "OSCE concept of cooperative security" and follow-up on implementation of the 2008 Helsinki Ministerial decision on a range of FSC issues besides SALW/SCA. ¶5. (SBU) France confirmed that four FSC coordinators have been reconfirmed in their positions for 2009: Petersen (Denmark) for SCA; Hartnell (UK) for SALW; Eischer (Austria) for the Code of Conduct; and Schweizer (Germany) as chair of the Informal Group of Friends of SALW. A coordinator is still needed for the 2009 Annual Security Review Conference. ¶6. (SBU) France announced it had invited the Partners for Cooperation to attend and participate in the discussions of the FSC working groups; Partners already have a standing invitation to the FSC plenary sessions. Wide Support for Work Plan -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Czech Republic (Pocuch),on behalf of the EU, Greece, the 2009 OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Switzerland, Finland, and others immediately expressed support for the French plans (FSC.DEL/3/09, FSC.DEL/4/09). Pocuch pointed out that UNSCRs 1540 and 1810 were of particular relevance to regional organizations like the OSCE. All urged other USOSCE 00000008 002 OF 003 participating States to adopt quickly the draft update of the Code of Conduct questionnaire, still pending after over a year of negotiation. Russia's Priorities -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Russia (Ulyanov) welcomed Georgia to the Troika and praised the 2009 work plan as "sound, of high quality, and likely to help the FSC reach its full potential." Ulyanov said Russia had two major priorities for the FSC in 2009: (1) serious dialogue on security issues and (2) improving the CSBM regime in Europe. ¶9. (SBU) Georgia (Giorgadze) noted its alignment with the EU statement and pledged full support to the FSC Troika and efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of the Forum. U.S. Goals -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) pledged support for practical, results-oriented initiatives in the working groups and use of the Security Dialogue to explore relevant issues. The U.S. called for continued work on implementation of UNSCR 1540, including completion of the Best Practice Guide. The U.S. is eager to engage on various aspects of cyber security and seeks support for continuing efforts by participating States and the Partners for Cooperation to counter the proliferation of MANPADS. French Defense White Paper and EU Security Strategy -------------- -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Michel Miraillet, director of strategic affairs at the French defense ministry described the impact of the recent French defense white paper on the chair's approach to European security issues: the EU and NATO are complementary and French commitments to the former cannot be separated from its restored role in the Alliance. France will work with other Member States to implement the European Security Strategy, which includes combating terrorism, preventing the proliferation of WMD and conventional weapons, and nuclear and conventional disarmament. Ukraine Calls Russia Out on Black Sea Fleet -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Ukraine (Herasymenko) called on Russia to reduce its "excess" holdings of certain weapons stationed on Ukrainian territory as part of the bilateral Black Sea Fleet stationing agreement (FSC.DEL/194/08). Russia (Ulyanov) explained that the apparent excesses were due to an anomaly in the Vienna Document that reported certain Black Sea Fleet units actually in Russia as being in Ukraine. Ulyanov said a fuller elaboration was forthcoming from Moscow. ¶13. (SBU) The U.S. (Neighbour) said both interventions would be forwarded to Washington and urged all participating States to fulfill all their international obligations. Privately, the Ukrainian delegation noted their appreciation to the U.S. for its intervention. The Treaty of Utrecht and All That -------------- USOSCE 00000008 003 OF 003 ¶14. (SBU) Spain and the UK exchanged interventions noting their Vienna Document submissions at the Annual Exchange of Military Information in December 2008 were without prejudice to their territorial claims on Gibraltar. SALW and Conventional Ammunition Projects -------------- ¶15. (SBU) The FSC coordinator for SALW (Hartnell) gave an overview of ongoing or proposed projects in Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Cyprus (FSC.DEL/2/09). Hartnell reminded that the deadline for proposals in response to Cyprus's request for assistance in destroying MANPADS was January 21. Proposals will be compiled by the CPC; an assessment visit is planned in February. ¶16. (SBU) The FSC coordinator for stockpiles of conventional ammunition (Petersen) reported on projects in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine (FSC.GAL/196/08). He noted that continuation of the ammunition demilitarization project in Georgia would depend on the future of the OSCE presence there, "or that of other international organizations." In his national capacity, Petersen announced Denmark was donating half a million euros to the melange project in Ukraine. Coming Attractions -------------- ¶17. (SBU) France (Simonet) reminded delegations to submit nominations for speakers, coordinators, and rapporteurs for the Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting on March 3-4 and the special cyber security workshop on March 17-18. A "coordination" meeting for the cyber workshop will be held on February 3. ¶18. (SBU) Germany invited participating states to send high-ranking MFA and MOD officials to a seminar on "Conventional Arms Control and Disarmament in the Current Strategic Environment," to be held March 24-26 at RACVIAC in Zagreb, Croatia. Deadline for applications to the German Foreign Office is February 20. Next Meeting -------------- ¶19. (SBU) The next meeting of the FSC, including working groups, will be on January 28 and will feature Peter Croll, director of the Bonn (Germany) International Center for Conversion, discussing non-proliferation and export controls in the Security Dialogue. SCOTT