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PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL
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DE RUEHVEN #0287/01 3521630
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181630Z DEC 09
FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6782
INFO RUCNOSC/ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUESDT/DTRA-OSES DARMSTADT GE
RUEASWA/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USOSCE 000287 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR VCI/CCA, EUR/RPM, EUR/PRA 
JCS FOR J-5 
OSD FOR ISA (KEHL, WALLENDER) 
NSC FOR FRIEDT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE
SUBJECT: OPEN SKIES: DECEMBER 14 PLENARY, REVCON, AND 
SENSORS 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  The December 14 Open Skies Consultative 
Commission (OSCC) adopted the annual decision on distribution 
of OSCC expenses.  There was broad support for the OSCC 
modality proposals by Hungary and Luxembourg, but both agreed 
to wait until January to discuss a more comprehensive draft 
being prepared by the U.S.  After the plenary, the second 
meeting of the Informal Working Group on Planning the Review 
Conference (IWGPRC) met to discuss the agenda and Final 
Document for the June 2010 meeting.  The Informal Working 
Group on Sensors (IWGS) held a series of meetings, resulting 
in progress on digital sensor issues.  Germany is 
reconsidering its future aircraft options.  The first OSCC of 
2010 will be on January 25, under Canadian Chairmanship.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The OSCC held its final meeting of 2009 on December 
14, concluding the Bulgarian (Iliev) chairmanship.  The OSCC 
adopted the 2010 Scale of Distribution of Expenses for the 
OSCC (OSCC.DEC/9/09).  The Chair took note of the draft 
decision on the agenda regarding a change to the OSCC working 
modalities put forward by Luxembourg (OSCC.DEL/9/09). 
Luxembourg advanced this draft following the scheduling 
issues experienced in October when the OSCC needed to hold 
two plenaries in one month.  The U.S. (Neighbour) indicated 
its support in principle for the Luxembourg recommendation, 
and noted that we had told the Chair prior to the meeting 
that Washington is working on a comprehensive draft that 
takes the Luxembourg (Pilot) proposal into account, as well 
as several other OSCC "housekeeping" issues.  Luxembourg 
agreed to defer further discussion until the January meeting, 
and welcomed the U.S. drafting efforts. 
¶3.  (SBU) The draft Decision put forward originally by 
Hungary for changes to notifications formats 8 and 19, was 
also deferred on the same basis (OSCC.DD/9/09).  On the 
margins we discussed the substance of the format change 
proposals with Hungary (Szatmari), and recommended they 
present the actual text of the format as it would be adopted 
for review by the OSCC.  Mission recommends providing 
assistance with a revision to this draft accordingly. 
¶4.  (SBU) Comment:  Consultations with key delegations 
(Bulgaria, Hungary, Luxembourg, Germany, Russia, and Canada) 
indicate support for an update to the OSCC modalities. 
Mission welcomes a draft for review by delegations in advance 
of the January plenary.  End Comment. 
¶5.  (SBU)  Russia (Federyakov) made a statement concerning 
invoices it has received from Euro Control (air traffic) for 
several missions (OSCC50.JOUR/160, Annex).  According to OSCC 
Decision on Costs, Open Skies Treaty missions are exempt from 
air traffic control fees.  Russia requested that the OSCC 
Chair send a letter to Euro Control advising them of the 
Treaty regulations.  Ukraine said it has also received such 
invoices, and supported Russia's request for clarification 
with the proper authorities.  Both asked that this subject be 
added to the agenda of the next OSCC meeting.  Bulgaria 
swiftly passed the action to incoming OSCC Chair Canada. 
REVCON Planning Group 
------------- 
¶6.  (SBU) After the Plenary, the U.S. (Marvin) chaired the 
second meeting of the Informal Working Group on Planning the 
Review Conference (IWGPRC).  As Chair of the REVCON, we are 
conducting outreach activities with relevant parts of the 
OSCE Secretariat to ensure that other elements dealing with 
crossover security issues are aware of the benefits of Open 
Skies.  This approach is intended to support the OSCE concept 
of comprehensive security.  In that regard, the U.S. drew 
attention to recent OSCE Ministerial Decisions with potential 
room for dialogue on Open Skies Treaty contributions: 
      --MC Decision 2/09: "Further OSCE Efforts to Address 
Transnational Threats and Challenges to Security and 
Stability"; 
      --MC Decision 6/09: "Strengthening Dialogue and 
Cooperation on Energy Security in the OSCE Area." 
¶7. (SBU) We also noted the upcoming February 2010 OSCE 
Workshop on "Protecting Non-Nuclear Critical Energy 
Infrastructures from Terrorist Attacks" organized by the 
Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU).  Comment:  U.S. reps met with OSCE 
 
USOSCE 00000287  002 OF 003 
 
 
ATU head Raphael Perl to discuss the potential for Open Skies 
imagery to serve as a tool in evaluating protection of 
critical infrastructure.  The ATU is considering including an 
Open Skies side-event for the workshop, or as a briefing to 
the OSCE Permanent Council Security Committee. 
¶8. (SBU) With regard to Open Skies supporting security issues 
beyond arms control, Turkey said it wants to make sure such 
work does not take away from the Treaty's original focus, 
does not incur additional costs, and is voluntary in nature. 
Turkey suggested that it might be useful to have a working 
group formed, including experts from other security areas 
(e.g., infrastructure protection; climate change; energy), to 
discuss how these functions could be better incorporated into 
Open Skies missions.  Turkey offered its aircraft for lease 
for non-Treaty flights focused on other security issues. 
¶9. (SBU)  The Czech Republic offered potential topics for 
REVCON discussion, including: creating a transition plan for 
the replacement of optical sensors with digital sensors by 
all States Parties; enlarging the number of States Parties to 
the Treaty; creating a system for a joint fleet of aircraft 
for use by multiple parties; forming partnerships with other 
global security organizations where Open Skies can add value; 
and finding ways for broader sharing of Open Skies imagery 
data. (Note: US Chair of the IWGS suggests that the Czech 
recommendation to replace all film systems with digital 
system be made a REVCON goal with a target date of 2020. 
Technology is moving quickly in this direction.  We can 
achieve significant cost savings by retiring all film cameras 
and the associated chemical film processing equipment across 
the entire treaty.) 
¶10. (SBU) Russia (Federyakov) noted that the Treaty has 
clearly not reached its potential yet.  We need more 
discussions to determine how the Treaty can be used for other 
security purposes, either on a national basis or in 
cooperation with other international organizations.  The 
question of payment for flights to cover other security 
issues should also be addressed.  The first step could be to 
better disseminate information concerning the Treaty to other 
security-related sectors.  We need to have a dialogue with 
such organizations to see if there is room for cooperation, 
and then figure out how to put into action. 
¶11. (SBU) Sweden (Byren) pointed out that there are many 
things we can do with Open Skies Treaty platforms without 
challenging the purpose of the Treaty.  The most urgent issue 
is planning a transition to digital sensors, and to ensure 
they are deployed in the future.  We should keep the core 
mission of the Treaty, and keep it simple regarding other 
areas. 
¶12. (SBU) Luxembourg (Pilot) noted that it is increasingly 
difficult for Ministries of Defense to fund platforms for 
Open Skies flights, and perhaps they need to look for 
cooperation with other Ministries that are interested in 
other security issues.  Burden-sharing of the Treaty 
platforms to cover multiple issues should be examined by 
national authorities. 
¶13. (SBU)  U.S. (Neighbour) supported the suggestions made, 
and confirmed that maximizing resources by reaching out to 
other ministries or organizations may provide opportunities 
for future funding, which in turn would allow the Treaty to 
continue in the future.  The U.S. requested that all 
delegations continue to provide input for REVCON agenda and 
Final Document.  The IWGPRC will meet again after the January 
or February OSCC meeting. 
¶14. (SBU) In preparation for the REVCON, the U.S. also 
organized a separate meeting to brief Allied visiting Heads 
of Verification (HOV) reps on the imagery results of Open 
Skies.  The briefing emphasized the importance of Open Skies 
imagery to the U.S., and stressed the need for transition to 
digital sensors.  In a number of sidebars, it was clear that 
HOV reps grasped the importance of transition to digital 
sensors but have doubts about funding constraints.  Many HOV 
reps said it is also difficult to obtain policy guidance from 
their MFA counterparts.  We urged HOV reps to coordinate with 
the MFA in providing input for the REVCON.  Comment:  Many 
delegates welcomed additional coordination on a bilateral or 
small group basis as we advance toward the REVCON.  End 
 
USOSCE 00000287  003 OF 003 
 
 
comment. 
IWGS Moves Forward on Digital Decisions 
------------------------- 
¶15. (SBU) From 7-12 December, the Informal Working Group on 
Sensors (IWGS) met to discuss the final outstanding points on 
the Revision One to Decision 14 for digital sensors 
(OSCC.SEN/6/09).  Two main issues were resolved:  a visual 
analysis reading rule was chosen, and the the 
pre-certification data requirement (number of data points) 
was agreed.  There is one key issue remaining regarding the 
type and design of the resolution target.  In order to move 
forward, delegates discussed the merit of reaching agreement 
on the use of just one type of target.  Currently the Treaty 
requires a minimum of two-bars.  The target design is 
important for proper determination of resolution. In 
addition, several states parties have cost concerns, and 
favor the use of a common target for use by all States for 
pre-certification data collection and certification events. A 
common target (and potential one or two common target 
locations) would provide the most reliable, consistent, and 
cost-effective results for all Parties. 
¶16. (SBU) The U.S. Chair (Simmons) consulted with Germany 
about hosting a small test event in January to assist in 
resolving the target-related questions.  The Netherlands, and 
other POD group members, primarily have two-bar targets, and 
expressed concerns about funding required to build new 
targets.  The Chair will be consulting with several states in 
advance of the next meeting to facilitate Allied 
coordination.  In addition, the U.S. provided test results 
from flights done in November for all delegates to review 
prior to the next meeting. 
¶17. (SBU) The IWGS will meet again the week of February 15, 
and expects to finish working on the draft for digital 
sensors.  It will also consider a companion draft decision 
for digital sensor data processing.  In addition, OSCC 
Decision 17 on the format for digital exchange will expire at 
this month.  U.S. reps are preparing to review and update 
this text as well.  Lastly, Notification Format 4 was 
reviewed in conjunction with the Decision 14 text, and a 
draft is ready for further review. 
¶18. (SBU) Mission understands that if the February IWGS 
meeting is successful, the digital sensor decisions may be 
forwarded to the OSCC for adoption in March.  Meeting this 
goal would greatly serve our policy interests in preparing 
for the REVCON. 
German Aircraft Plans 
--------------- 
¶19.  (SBU)  On the margins of several meetings, U.S. reps 
talked to a variety of German counterparts about its plans 
for fielding an aircraft in the future.  Germany had not 
received any firm commitment from other Open Skies States to 
participate.  The cost estimates without partners made the 
proposal unaffordable for Germany.  In responding to the 
German offer to share a leased option with a commercial 
company, at least two states had to decline due to 
procurement regulations. Also, the new German Secretary of 
the Air Force has requested a comprehensive review of 
aircraft plans.  German HOV General Mertens said there is a 
possibility to use some Airbus VIP jets.  Germany will advise 
when it has a revised proposal for review. 
FULLER