Wikileaks - DCCLXV
110210 5/30/2007 14:17 07BUCHAREST628 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL 07USNATO337|07USNATO339|07USNATO340|07USOSCE230 VZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBM #0628 1501417 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301417Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6736 INFO RUCNCFE/CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000628
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016 TAGS: KCFE, PREL, PGOV, PARM, MARR, MCAP, RU, RO SUBJECT: RFG: MFA SEEKS WASHINGTON VISIT TO DISCUSS CFE
REF: A. USOSCE 230 B. ELLIS-LAURENDEAU 05/25 EMAIL C. USNATO 340 D. USNATO 339 E. USNATO 337
Classified By: POLCONS Ted Tanoue for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) This is a request for guidance; see para 4.
2. (C) State Secretary for European Affairs Adrian Vierita on May 29 told Charge that he would like to visit Washington the week of June 4 to consult on the upcoming CFE Extraordinary Conference. Vierita said the request for consultations was prompted by the Russian Federation's Note Verbale to The Netherlands as the depository of the CFE Treaty. The MFA is increasingly concerned with Moscow's challenges to the CFE Treaty, and the possible reactions by some of the western European powers to Russia's concerns over the cross-group stationing issue. Vierita sees face-to-face bilateral discussions as a way to ensure harmony in US-Romanian positions, especially since the Russian arguments continue to raise the Forward Operating Facilities (JTF-East), as a violation of the current CFE Treaty's language on Group of States Members (Article 2).
3. (C) Vierita shared a list of specific questions/Talking Points that he would like to answer prior to the GOR's inter-agency coordination process that will set the policy prior to the CFE extraordinary conference. Begin text:
-- The Russian notification is founded on Article XXI, paragraph 2 (exceptional circumstances), and not on paragraph 4 (withdrawal). This indicates intention to consult and negotiate.
Question: Do you envisage negotiations during the extraordinary conference? If so, what elements of NATO,s position could constitute the basis of negotiations in your view?
-- Article XXI, Paragraph 2 provides for a conference to consider exceptional circumstances, in particular (but not only), the announcement of a state party leaving the initial group of states. The current Russian notification indicates the need for "formalizing changes in the composition of the groups" as one of the reasons for convening the June conference.
Question: Do you foresee taking this request into account?
-- Convening the extraordinary conference places the States Parties, but even more so in Russia's case, in a rigid situation. The domestic politics, particularly the electoral processes, will play a critical role in determining the posture of participating countries and, ultimately the dialogue.
Question: What is your estimate with regards to the Russian expectations? Is the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the CFE Treaty an option to be considered?
Question: What level of representation do you envisage for the CFE Treaty extraordinary conference?
4. (C) Comment and Action Request: The MFA is looking at the broader picture of Romania's flank (read Black Sea) concerns, especially regarding the frozen conflicts (Moldova and Georgia). They are also concerned with Russia's capacity to exploit differences between the U.S. and some of the western European states members on a range of issues beyond CFE. Vierita could also use a U.S. visit as an opportunity to preview and consult prior to the planned visit to Washington by Foreign Minister Cioroianu (the week of June 11). Please advise on how Department would like to respond. End comment/action request. TAPLIN
