Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS1196
2005-02-24 17:47:00
SECRET
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) -- SMALL

Tags:  AU FR KSCA PREL PARM ETTC TSPA 
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S E C R E T PARIS 001196 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2030
TAGS: AU FR KSCA PREL PARM ETTC TSPA
SUBJECT: MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) -- SMALL
GROUP PROPOSALS FOR 2005 (C)

REF: SECSTATE 31851

Classified By: EST COUNSELOR ROBERT W. DRY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D),an
d (H)

S E C R E T PARIS 001196

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2030
TAGS: AU FR KSCA PREL PARM ETTC TSPA
SUBJECT: MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) -- SMALL
GROUP PROPOSALS FOR 2005 (C)

REF: SECSTATE 31851

Classified By: EST COUNSELOR ROBERT W. DRY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D),an
d (H)


1. (C) On February 24, EST Counselor provided French MTCR
Point-of-Contact David Bertolotti with non-paper contained
reftel, noting the request for feedback; the need to limit
discussion within the small group; and, the invitation to
share small group proposals. Bertolotti said he would study
the U.S. paper. He commented generally that he thought the
issues presented by the U.S. side would be "less contentious"
than last year's subjects.


2. (C) While Bertolotti noted the French side had yet to
conduct its preparatory meeting for the RPOC, he felt that
the French might be willing to mention "something on Iran,"
possibly comparing assessments. There might also be scope in
the small group to review the Libyan request for membership.
While there is no question that the request is "rather
premature," the small group may wish to consider how to
present the message to the Libyans. Bertolotti considers it
particularly important for the MTCR group to act in a manner
consistent with the disarmament process. There would be
interest, he thought, in learning the U.S. assessment as to
how well the Libyans are fulfilling their commitments in that
regard. The small group might also want to discuss
approaches to dealing with the Chinese membership
application. It might be useful, Bertolotti added, to say
something about "lessons learned" in the previous plenary
session regarding Brazilian, South African, and Russian
reaction to "initiatives" raised at the MTCR Seoul plenary.


3. (S) Another topic which might be ripe for discussion by
the core group in early April according to Bertolotti is what
he termed "the Ukranian problem," referring to the alleged
tranfer of up to 20 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles to
Iran and China in the 1999-2001 timeframe, a subject which
apparently has only recently come to light. Bertolotti
mentioned that the French and Germans plan to demarche the
Ukranians about this. He said that at this stage the French
government had no reason to suspect the new regime in Kiev
would not cooperate in the investigation of the alleged
incident. He thought that it might be possible to engage the
Ukranians in a bilateral discussion on this topic.


4. (C) Finally, Bertolotti mentioned that there might be an
opportunity to broaden discussion within the HCOC setting.
He is cognizant of U.S. concerns not to duplicate MTCR work
in the HCOC. However, Bertolotti suggests there may be some
room for real world discussion in the HCOC on
non-proliferation trends.
Wolff