Cablegate: Gor Agrees to Extension of U.S. Russia 1988 Agreement On

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #2919 2760556
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020556Z OCT 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0200

UNCLAS MOSCOW 002919

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS PHSA SENV KTIA RS
SUBJECT: GOR AGREES TO EXTENSION OF U.S. RUSSIA 1988 AGREEMENT ON
MUTUAL FISHERIES RELATIONS

REF: SECSTATE 031863

1. Post received on September 19th, 2008, Government of Russia (GOR)
Diplomatic Note in reply to the Embassy's diplomatic note of March
28, 2008 (REFTEL). Embassy courtesy translation follows:

No. 4244

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents
its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and
has the honor to confirm receipt of the Embassy's note No. 026-08 of
April 1, 2008, as follows:

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has
the honor to refer to the Agreement between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics on Mutual Relations in the Sphere of Fishery
(with annexes) of May 31, 1998, revised and expanded (hereinafter,
the Agreement).

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, in
accordance with Article XVII of the Agreement, which expires
December 31, 2008, the Embassy has the honor to make a proposal on
renewing the Agreement for an additional five-year period beginning
from said date until December 31, 2013. If this proposal is
acceptable for the Government of the Russian Federation, the
Government of the United States of America suggests that this note
and the reply note with the expression of agreement of the Russian
Side amount to agreement between our Governments to become effective
following exchange of diplomatic notes upon completion by the Sides
of necessary domestic procedures.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this
opportunity to extend to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed
assurances of its highest consideration.

The Ministry has the honor to inform the Embassy that the Russian
Side agrees with the above and proceeds from that said note of the
Embassy and this reply note will amount to an agreement between the
Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the
United States of America on this matter. Given that the domestic
procedures necessary for said Agreement to become effective have
been completed in the Russian Federation, the Ministry proceeds from
that Agreement will become effective as of the date of the reply
notification on the completion of relevant domestic procedures by
the U.S. Side.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails
itself of the opportunity to extend to the Embassy of the United
States of America renewed assurances of its highest consideration.

Moscow, September 19, 2008

2. As requested, Embassy Moscow is sending via classified pouch
registry No. 8548149 a copy of the Embassy's diplomatic note dated
March 28, 2008 and the original response of GOR diplomatic note to
the Assistant Legal Advisor for Treaty Affairs.

BEYRLE

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