VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #0356/01 0800937
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 200937Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0737
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNDSC/DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0328
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1410
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018 
TAGS: PREL PARM NATO PGOV NRRC GM MARR KCFE
SUBJECT: WSJ OP-ED: GERMANS PUSHING FOR MORE DISARMAMENT 
 
REF: A. STATE 12010 
     ¶B. 06 BERLIN 1781 
     ¶C. MUNICH 53 
     ¶D. 07 BERLIN 2003 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 ( 
B) AND (D). 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: Germany is a challenge for the U.S. on the 
issue of arms control and disarmament, often critical of our 
efforts and poorly informed about our activities.  The 
January 15 Wall Street Journal op-ed by Kissinger, Schultz, 
Perry, and Nunn -- which supported inter alia the goal of 
eliminating all nuclear weapons -- was widely lauded in 
Germany.  FM Steinmeier reiterated several of the points 
during his speech on arms control at the Munich Security 
Conference in February, and interlocutors from across the 
political spectrum regularly express their support for the 
article's tenets.  Post will continue engaging German 
contacts to reinforce the message of U.S. arms control 
activities.  We believe the message in REF A would be even 
more effective if a written version could be left with key 
interlocutors or turned into an op-ed.  Post will share 
separately with Department thoughts on possible text.  End 
Summary. 
 
Arms Control Issues Transcend Party Politics 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Germany has a long post-war tradition of pressing 
for arms control, with the Social Democrats (SPD) being among 
the most vocal advocates of this agenda (REF B).  Indeed, FM 
Steinmeier consistently has pushed an active arms control 
agenda since becoming Foreign Minister.  (NOTE: Steinmeier 
also is a Deputy Chairman of the SPD and possible SPD 
chancellor candidate in the 2009 federal election.)  The five 
major German political parties are in basic agreement -- 
although the rhetoric varies -- that the nuclear states 
should do more to disarm.  They also share the view that the 
U.S. should work more closely with Russia, particularly on 
missile defense and matters relating to the arms control 
regimes (CFE, START, etc...).  According to Bundestag and MOD 
contacts, the CDU/CSU often feels outmaneuvered by the SPD 
and the smaller FDP, Green, and Left Parties on arms control. 
 While the CDU/CSU usually takes a more constructive role on 
a number of arms control matters -- including on de-alerting 
and CFE -- the SPD-led MFA continues to dominate the arms 
control agenda. 
 
FM Steinmeier Pushes Arms Control in Munich 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) German press, politicians, and arms control 
advocates have latched on to the WSJ op-ed as a demonstration 
that important voices in the U.S. share the German view that 
not enough is being done to disarm or prevent a new arms 
race.  At the Munich Security Conference in February, FM 
Steinmeier mentioned the op-ed and lamented the lack of 
leadership by the U.S. and other nuclear powers in pressing 
an arms control and disarmament agenda (REF C).  He claimed 
that it was up to the West, and particularly the nuclear 
states, to demonstrate goodwill rather than relying on 
military power alone when pushing for international security. 
 Steinmeier said he fears a new global nuclear arms race and 
has urged the Euro-Atlantic community to come together to 
push an arms control agenda for the 21st century.  (The 
German/Norwegian initiative to "anchor the issue of 
disarmament and arms control more firmly" at NATO is a key to 
Steinmeier's agenda.) 
 
Response to REFTEL Demarche - 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) On March 3, PolOff met with Christoph Wolfrum, desk 
officer in the nuclear arms control and non-proliferation 
office of the German MFA, to discuss at length the points in 
REF A.  In general, Wolfrum noted his appreciation for and 
value of the information, saying it was "a message we rarely 
hear in Berlin."  On specific points, Wolfrum offered the 
following: 
 
      -- Germany hopes the U.S. and Russia will create a 
"legally binding" post-Start treaty, including new 
verification regimes and increased reductions in weapons 
stockpiles; 
      -- Germany remains concerned about Russian threats to 
withdraw from the INF treaty and would support discussions to 
 
multi-lateralize this agreement; 
      -- Germany supports additional de-alerting measures and 
believes they should be non-controversial (REF D); 
      -- On MD, Wolfrum noted that the MFA was pleased with 
U.S. efforts to reach out so flexibly to Russia to breach 
differences and build trust; 
      -- About applying universally the Additional Protocol 
of the IAEA and support for the international safeguards 
system, Wolfrum talked around the issue a bit by noting that 
this is a touchy subject for the NAM countries, and for 
Germany as well.  He went on to emphasize, however, that 
Germany has been a "huge supporter" of Article IV since the 
earliest days of the NPT; 
      -- Germany supports the tabling of the FMCT draft at 
the CD and opposes linkage -- even while supporting the goals 
of other members states at the CD as well; and, 
      -- FM Steinmeier is working hard to gain support for 
efforts to multi-lateralize the supply of nuclear fuel to 
provide countries looking to expand their use of this energy 
source. 
 
¶5. (U) COMMENT AND REQUEST: Post will continue to use REF A 
talking points with German counterparts, especially with 
Bundestag members interested in disarmament.  We will also 
explore additional ways, and seek Washington guidance, to 
bring high-level arms control and non-proliferation experts 
to Berlin, similar to the successful visit in January of 
UNVIE Ambassador Greg Schulte.  Such visits effectively raise 
awareness of U.S. efforts to dramatically reduce our 
stockpile of weapons and limit proliferation on a global 
scale.  END COMMENT. 
TIMKEN JR