CZECH MFA SOLICITS US OPINION ON POTENTIAL SALE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001870

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NP/ENCP, INR/SPM, PM/RSAT, EUR/PRA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2014
TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL PINR EZ PK
SUBJECT: CZECH MFA SOLICITS US OPINION ON POTENTIAL SALE OF
PASSIV...


SUBJECT: CZECH MFA SOLICITS US OPINION ON POTENTIAL SALE OF PASSIVE RADAR TO PAKISTAN
REF: A. PRAGUE 1830

B. PRAGUE 1064

C. STATE 172966
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Mark Canning for reasons 1.4 (a) (b) (c) and (g)


1. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. SEE PARA 7


2. (C) As foreshadowed in Reftel A, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs is, for the second time this year, soliciting US opinion on the possible sale of a Czech-produced passive radar system to Pakistan.


3. (C) As in the previous case, dealt with in Reftels B and C, this MFA request is based on a request from the Czech firm ERA to begin preliminary marketing discussions with the Air Force of Pakistan. Unlike the previous case, the proposed sale would not involve the passive system VERA-E, but an earlier, less powerful model of passive radar, the ASDD-01.


4. (C) Reftel C describes U.S. concerns over a possible reexport of the VERA-E to China as the primary reason for opposing a VERA-E sale to Pakistan. The U.S. concern played an important role in the decision by the GOCR in July to deny ERA permission to move forward with marketing the system to Pakistan. The firm has recently approached the MFA with new information about the sale of a Swedish radar system, the Erieye, to Pakistan. The Erieye is made by Ericsson Microwave Systems and is described as an active, phased-array pulse-Doppler radar that can be used for Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems. The firm provided news reports stating Pakistan will purchase seven copies of the Eireye.


5. (C) The firm argues that the ASDD-01 is based on the same technology as the Erieye. In addition the firm has offered to discuss reexport concerns. The firm made the suggestions that GPS equipment be included in the hardware to identify its location, and that unannounced spot checks of the equipment be agreed to in any potential contract.


6. (C) Comment: In presenting the formal request for USG views on the proposed sale during a meeting on Dec 22, Czech MFA staff pointed out the huge symbolic benefits of any sale, even a non VERA sale. The GOCR, and the MFA in particular, which were publicly criticized for halting earlier requests to market VERA, are now under renewed public and private pressure from the politically-influential ERA to license exports. As MFA staff did not hesitate to point out, good news on a high-profile sale like this would boost the ability of the weak Czech government to win approval for controversial policy moves, such as the further extension of Czech troops in Iraq. End Comment.


7. Please provide response in the next 90 days, if possible, to the Czech request for Washington advisory opinion.
CABANISS