LATVIA CONCURS WITH U.S. COMMITMENT TO CORE NPT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 000027

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2020
TAGS: PARM EAID TBIO IAEA NPT AORC CDG ENRG KNNP
MNUC, PGOV, PREL, UNGA, LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA CONCURS WITH U.S. COMMITMENT TO CORE NPT
GOALS

REF: A. SECSTATE 129517 B. SECSTATE 126209

Classified By: Brian Phipps, Counselor for Political and Economic Affai
rs, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary: Latvia is in full accord with the U.S.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty goals of strengthening
non-proliferation, promoting disarmament and fostering the
development of peaceful nuclear energy. Latvia supports the
universality of the NPT and the Additional Protocol. Latvian
officials welcome U.S. leadership on strengthening the
non-proliferation regime, including our renewed commitment to
seek ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty and our ongoing negotiations with the Russian
Federation to conclude a new START agreement. End Summary.


2. (SBU) The Embassy delivered ref B points to the MFA's Head
of the Nonproliferation and Arms Control Division, Raimonds
Oskalns, on January 7. In discussing the NPT RevCon, we drew
on the points provided in ref A to publicize the U.S. record
of cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in
support of the NPT. Oskalns said Latvia welcomes these
points and the U.S. commitment to uphold its treaty
obligations in this regard. He confirmed that Latvia will
participate in the RevCon in May 2010, but has not yet
determined the level of its participation.

Renewed Commitment to NPT Pillars
--------------


3. (SBU) Oskalns said that Latvia seeks a renewed commitment
from the entire international community for the NPT's goals.
Latvia would like to see the 2010 RevCon conclude with an
action plan for each of the three NPT pillars: strengthening
nonproliferation; promoting disarmament; and ensuring the
responsible development of nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes.

Universality
--------------


4. (SBU) Oskalns stated that Latvia believes the possession
of nuclear weapons by states outside the NPT and
non-compliance with the Treaty's provisions by States Parties
to the Treaty undermine non-proliferation and disarmament
efforts. Latvia appeals to non-member states to join the NPT
as non-nuclear weapon states. Latvia also wishes to extend
the universality of NPT safeguards agreements and the
Additional Protocol to all States Parties. The GOL believes
the RevCon should be used to call on all NPT countries to
accede to the Additional Protocol along with comprehensive
safeguards agreements to fulfill States Parties' obligations
under Article III of the NPT.

Noncompliance with NPT Obligations
--------------


5. (SBU) Continuing, Oskalns told us that Latvia seeks
resolute action and determination of consequences in cases of
non-compliance with NPT obligations. He noted North Korea
and Iran as examples of how a consistent response by NPT
members in response to crises would contribute to a
successful NPT review. Although Latvia supports the
sovereign right of countries to withdraw from the NPT, it
believes those states are still bound by their actions
conducted prior to withdrawal that violate their obligations
under the treaty. The GOL believes the 2010 NPT RevCon
should adopt measures to discourage withdrawal from the
treaty and deal with the consequences in case of withdrawal,
including suspension of nuclear cooperation.

Expectations for U.S. Action
--------------


6. (SBU) Oskalns welcomed renewed U.S. leadership on
strengthening the non-proliferation regime and expressed hope
the U.S. will ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty. Likewise, he wished that the U.S. will conclude a
significant reduction in nuclear weapons via a new START
treaty with the Russian Federation in advance of the 2010
RevCon.


7. (C) Oskalns expressed concern over the continued
non-compliance by Russia with the Conventional Forces in
Europe (CFE) Treaty and with recent statements by Russian PM
Putin about exacting additional concessions from the U.S. as

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a prerequisite to concluding the START negotiations. Oskalns
said privately that he is concerned that the U.S. might
concede too much to Russia in the START negotiations and that
this could undermine the America's ability to secure the
treaty's ratification. Oskalns also expressed concern that
there may not be enough support in the U.S. Senate for the
CTBT. He questioned the U.S. timeline for signing a new
START treaty and stressed that it would be vital to the
success of the RevCon for this treaty to be signed in advance
of the start of the conference.


8. (C) Comment: Latvia's approach to non-proliferation
issues is influenced by three main factors that are directly
related to the three NPT pillars. First, the Latvian
interest in eventually constructing a nuclear energy power
plant reinforces support for the peaceful purposes pillar of
the NPT. Second, Latvia's fear of Russian power bolsters its
desire to see greater disarmament and more transparent
implementation of disarmament agreements, particularly the
CFE. Finally, Latvia generally it follows the EU consensus
position on issues such as the imposition of sanctions for
noncompliance. End comment.
GARBER