VZCZCXYZ0022
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2350 2741807
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011747Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0000
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/DTRA DULLES WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS STATE 102350 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
MOSCOW FOR DTRO-M/ACID 
GENEVA FOR JCIC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM KACT START US RS
SUBJECT: U.S. DISPUTE OF RUSSIAN START BILLS 
 
REFS: A) STATE 027733 
      B) RNRRC FAX TO EMBASSY MOSCOW (DTRO-M/ACI), 
         DATED MAY 7, 2009 
      C) RNRRC FAX TO EMBASSY MOSCOW (DTRO-M/ACI), 
         DATED JULY 29, 2009 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1.  (U) This is an action cable (see paragraph 2). 
 
¶2.  (U) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST.  The Defense Threat 
Reduction Agency (DTRA) has reviewed itemized cost lists and 
bills associated with implementation of the Strategic Arms 
Reduction Treaty (START) (totaling 526,826.76 USD), and 
supporting documentation submitted by the Russian Nuclear 
Risk Reduction Center (RNRRC) for the billable period January 
1, 2009, through June 30, 2009.  Based on this review, DTRA 
is disputing charges totaling 7,996.73 USD and will be 
forwarding a 518,830.03 USD payment to the appropriate RNRRC 
account.  DTRA will also be forwarding an additional 1,803.50 
USD payment to the RNRRC account for previously disputed 
START costs for the earlier billable period July 1, 2008, 
through December 31, 2008 (Refs A and B).  DTRA is also 
seeking confirmation from the RNRRC that bank account 
information provided by the RNRRC to Embassy Moscow 
(DTRO-M/ACI) on July 29, 2009 (Ref C) should be used for 
these and future U.S. START payments.  In order to meet 
Treaty timelines, Embassy Moscow (DTRO-M/ACI) is requested to 
provide the information in paragraph 3 below to appropriate 
RNRRC officials at the earliest opportunity.  END SUMMARY AND 
ACTION REQUEST. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Begin text: 
 
-  The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has 
reviewed a May 7, 2009, response provided by the Russian 
Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (RNRRC) regarding disputed 
START charges for the billable period July 1, 2008, through 
December 31, 2008. 
 
-  Based on this review, DTRA will be forwarding, to the 
account designated by the RNRRC, an additional 1,803.50 USD 
payment.  This payment is for: 
 
      --  Formerly disputed charges (totaling 109.72 USD) 
from RNRRC Bill 2008/2-11 for use of the "ZIL-130 dump truck"; 
 
      --  Formerly disputed charges (totaling 35.06 USD) from 
RNRRC Bill 2008/2-11 for "waste reception and disposal on the 
territory of Spetskhzyaistvo"; and 
 
      --  Formerly disputed charges (totaling 1,658.72 USD) 
for "work of loaders" and "grass mowing along perimeter" 
directly connected to services that are reimbursable under 
the Treaty. 
 
-  DTRA has also reviewed RNRRC START Treaty bills, totaling 
526,826.76 USD, and supporting documentation for the billable 
period January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009. 
 
-  Based on this review, DTRA is disputing charges totaling 
7,996.73 USD from RNRRC Bill 2009/1-2 (30,570.57 USD) for 
START cost category number 2 (servicing for inspection 
airplanes).  DTRA notes the disputed amount was calculated 
using the 1 USD = 32.2886R dollar/ruble conversion factor 
specified in the RNRRC supporting documentation). 
 
-  DTRA will be forwarding, to the account designated by the 
RNRRC, a 518,830.03 USD payment for the undisputed charges. 
 
-  The 7,996.73 USD disputed amount is comprised of the 
following: 
 
      --  DTRA is disputing 3,720.20 USD for landing fees. 
DTRA requests clarification from the RNRRC regarding these 
charges in light of Treaty provisions and past cost 
settlement practices. 
 
      --  DTRA is disputing 4,056.54 USD for "Extension of 
Workday" charges.  DTRA requests clarification from the RNRRC 
regarding these charges taking into account Treaty provisions 
and past cost settlement practices. 
 
      --  DTRA is disputing 26.45 USD for taxes charged for 
"Landing and Takeoff Passenger Steps" (taxes: 14.05 USD) and 
"Leading the Military Aircraft" (taxes: 12.40 USD).  DTRA is 
not authorized to pay for taxes in accordance with 
long-standing U.S. Government policy. 
 
      --  DTRA is disputing 193.54 USD (164.02 USD   29.52 
USD in taxes) for "Providing Arrival-Departure" charges. 
DTRA requests clarification from the RNRRC on the services 
that were provided. 
 
-  Regarding the forthcoming DTRA payments of 1,803.50 USD 
(for the cost settlement period July 1, 2008, through 
December 31, 2008) and 518,830.03 USD (for the cost 
settlement period January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2009), 
DTRA requests confirmation from the RNRRC that the following 
bank account should be used for these and future U.S. START 
payments: 
 
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
ACCOUNT NUMBER 40503840900030000257 
JCS VTB BANK, RUSSIA, MOSCOW, VORONTSOVSKAYA STR., 43 
SWIFT: VTBRRUMM 
TO THE ACCOUNT NUMBER 890-0055-006 OF JSC VTB BANK WITH THE 
BANK OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA (SWIFT: IRVT US 3N) 
 
End text. 
CLINTON