CFE/JCG: MARCH 31: MORE PILING ON CRITICAL OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000080 SENSITIVE 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 SUBJECT: CFE/JCG: MARCH 31: MORE PILING ON CRITICAL OF RUSSIA; GERMANY'S RICHTER'S PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: At the March 31 JCG plenary Germany (supported by 9 delegations, including the U.S.) criticized Russia's latest act of noncompliance with the CFE Treaty. There was agreement to cancel the April 28 JCG plenary due to the HLTF that day. Germany's Colonel Wolfgang Richter, whose tour has ended in Vienna, offered personal observations on conventional arms control. The United States has assumed the Chairmanship of the JCG and will remain Chair through the JCG on 12 May. Canada, as Chair of the TOI Working Group, announced that it had circulated the draft 2009 Consolidated Matrix, which contains national CFE data, for review and comment by States Parties. Washington, see para 4. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Russia Criticized for Preventing Verification Measures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) The Joint Consultative Group (JCG) met on March 31 under the Chairmanship of Germany (Richter). Germany (Schweitzer) announced its disappointment (JCG.JOUR/692/Annex 1) that on March 26 Russia refused a German request for a CFE inspection that would have begun today in Moscow. This rejection, Schweitzer noted, continues Russia's practice of "preventing other States Parties from carrying out verification measures in accordance with the Treaty." Schweitzer stressed that Germany continues to implement the CFE Treaty despite Russia's unilateral suspension of the Treaty. Schweitzer underscored that if the principles of the CFE regime were to be upheld, "unfettered cooperation" would be required by all States Parties. He noted that the parallel actions package "appropriately responds to the concerns of the Russian Federation," but noted that "the ongoing dialogue needs to be assisted." Recalling Germany's "specific constructive offer" that was tabled by Foreign Minister Steinmeier at Helsinki in December, Schweitzer said that Germany will shortly invite high-level reps to the June 10 seminar in Berlin. Germany's hope is that this initiative will breathe new life into disarmament and arms control in Europe. ¶3. (SBU) The Netherlands, the UK, Romania, Portugal, the U.S., France, Italy, Turkey, and the Czech Republic supported the German statement calling attention to Russia's recent act of noncompliance. The U.S. (Neighbour) pointed out the importance for all States Parties to observe all rights and obligations afforded them that arise out of the CFE Treaty (JCG.JOUR/692/Annex 2). This includes the transmission of requests for inspection of Russian forces and the opportunity of raising within the JCG framework questions related to compliance with, or possible circumvention of, provisions of the CFE Treaty. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Canada Circulates Consolidated Matrix for Review - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Canada (Linteau) in its role as Chair of the TOI Working Group and Sub-Working on POET has circulated a draft Consolidated Matrix for 2009 (JCG.TOI/1/09) to all States Parties for their review. Linteau requested that all States Parties review and confirm their national data as it appears in the draft matrix and forward any comments to Canada or Germany before April 30. Washington, please advise USdel how to respond to the TOI Working Group Chair. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - April 28 JCG Plenary Cancelled - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (SBU) The Chair (Richter) had noted at the March 24 JCG that many NATO delegations were planning to be in Brussels on April 28 for the next HLTF meeting. Richter observed that for this reason, absent any objection, the April 28 JCG plenary would be cancelled. There were no objections. USOSCE 00000080 002 OF 003 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Col. Richter (Germany) Personal Views on Arms Control - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) Colonel Wolfgang Richter offered personal observations on conventional arms control, stressing they were not reflective of Germany's national position. Richter recalled that the JCG as the only permanent forum of the 30 States Parties legally enshrined in the Treaty was meant to contribute to the common security in Europe on the basis of mutual respect, understanding, cooperation, and trust. He noted personal disappointment that the frank and open dialogue characteristic of the JCG in the '90s and as recent as last year during structured and focused dialogue had vanished. He noted that the "frequently used term 'the other side'" showed a return to the bloc positions which have turned to stone. ¶7. (SBU) Richter claimed that the deplorable situation of the JCG reflects the overall state of affairs of the current security dialogue in Europe. He was convinced of the necessity of an arms control regime which entails numerical and geographical limitations of major weapons systems, but believed that such a regime would keep its relevance only if through constant adaptation to the changing security environment. Richter's "short historical recollection" was meant to show the "absurd situation into which we have maneuvered ourselves." He listed some contradictions which recently have become evident: -- on high levels we call for dialogue while we reject dialogue in relevant bodies; -- on high levels we call for flexibility, but are unable to find compromises on the ground and, instead, formulate so-called "rdlines" which we deem not negotiable; -- we call for unconditional respect for principles of territorial intgrity, non-use of force and peaceful resolution of conflicts, accuse each other of violating them, while at the same time taking unilateral decisions to define exceptions to these rules; -- we accuse each other of undermining the CFE regime while either suspending its operations or blocking the entry into force of its adaptation agreement, something we agreed was needed 10 years ago; -- all Parties reject bloc-to-bloc approaches buta group of States speaks with one bloc-voice while one State demands a bloc-ceiling for this group; and, -- a group of States rejects the idea of bloc-based balance of forces, but in political reality it is unable to overcome the bloc-approach, which is only attainable by bringing a/CFE into force; instead this group of States calls on one State to return to old CFE with its bloc-based balance of forces. ¶8. (SBU) Richter said that discussion was needed on how the Treat should reflect changes in the political landscape since Europe is a different place than it was 10 years ago. He cautioned that using arms control agreements as a leverage to enforce political solutions to unresolved conflicts can undermine their survival. He noted that what is called "sub-regional" conflict by some might be the very question of survival for others. For this reason arms control measures must contribute to early warning and conflict prevention. He suggested that flank limitations be reconsidered in lieu of new approaches that would contribute to sub-regional stability through mutual self-restriction of military equipment in the vicinity of borderlines. ¶9. (SBU) Richter closed on a positive note. Common interest to preserve cooperative security and stability in USOSCE 00000080 003 OF 003 Europe should allow us to overcome the current impasse by not striving for maximalist positions: "Like our predecessors in the late '80s we should go back to the old wisdom that politics is the art of the possible and that the best is the enemy of the good." Compromises are necessary: "It lies in the nature of compromises not to make one party particularly happy, but to distribute the unhappiness equally among all participants." Raising his eyes in the direction of the U.S., Richter noted that a return to a sober approach could be heard loud and clear from across the Atlantic. He was optimistic that a unique historical chance to move forward lied in the upcoming months. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JCG-T Considers Monthly Chairs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶10. (SBU) During the JCG-T plus 4, which met prior to the plenary, Germany (Richter) proposed that JCG-T chairs rotate monthly as does the NATO Caucus now instead of every week. Luxembourg (Pilot) and the U.S. (Neighbour) offered provisional support and suggested delegations consider pros and cons of this approach. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Next JCG Chaired by U.S. - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶11. (U) The next JCG Plenary will be on May 5 under the Chairmanship of the U.S. The next JCG-T will be on May 4, chaired by Canada. SCOTT