DOD DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN EUROSATORY 2006

UNCLAS PARIS 000311

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TPP, EB/CBA, EUR/WE and PM/OS
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: FR PINS ETRD MARR MILI
SUBJECT: DOD DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN EUROSATORY 2006


1. IN ANTICIPATION OF JUNE 2006 EUROSATORY, U.S. EMBASSY
PARIS STRONGLY SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGES DIRECT DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE PARTICIPATION IN THIS IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL
EVENT.


2. THIS LARGEST LAND ARMAMENT TRADE SHOW, SCHEDULED FOR
12-16 JUNE 2006, PROVIDES AN UNEQUALLED SHOWCASE FOR THE
BEST IN U.S. TECHNOLOGY. DOD'S ENTHUSIASTIC AND SUCCESSFUL
PRESENCE AT THE FOUR PREVIOUS EUROSATORY EXPOSITIONS SERVED
TO ILLUSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO NATO AND COALITIONS AND TO
DEMONSTRATE OUR CAPACITY FOR TECHNICAL AND MILITARY
LEADERSHIP WITHIN ALLIANCES/COALITIONS. OUR BEST SOLDIERS
STANDING IN FRONT OF OUR BEST EQUIPMENT IS THE MOST
EFFECTIVE WAY TO COMMUNICATE OUR VOCATION TO LEADERSHIP.


3. THE U.S. EMBASSY IN PARIS STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
EQUIPMENT SELECTED FOR THE DOD CORRAL INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM
THE PATRIOT PAC-3, M1A2 ABRAMS MAIN BATTLE TANK, M2 BRADLEY
INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE AND THE STRYKER FAMILY OF
VEHICLES. GIVEN THE ROLE OF THESE WEAPONS IN THE GLOBAL
WAR ON TERRORISM, A DISPLAY OF THIS EQUIPMENT WITH DESERT
CAMOFLAGE PAINT, ACCOMPANIED BY US SOLDIERS IN DESERT BDUS
WOULD MAXIMIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY. WE
WOULD ALSO SUPPORT DISPLAY OF THE MLRS, HMARS AND THE
HUNTER OR SHADOW UAV. AS MAIN THEMES FOR THE EVENT EMERGE,
REQUESTED EQUIPMENT MAY CHANGE AND WILL BE REFLECTED VIA
SEPCOR.


4. A STRONG DOD PRESENCE IN 2006 WILL ONCE AGAIN ESTABLISH
THE U.S. AS THE STANDARD AGAINST WHICH ALLIANCE
INTEROPERABILITY IS MEASURED AND SERVE AS A PLATFORM FOR
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY. ADDITIONALLY, DOD PRESENCE SERVES AS AN
INVITATION TO PURSUE TRANSATLANTIC ARMAMENTS COOPERATION
AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN AN ERA WHEN SOME EUROPEANS SEE
ACQUISITION BASED ON EUROPEAN PREFERENCE AS THE SOLUTION TO
THEIR DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL REQUIREMENTS.


5. U.S. EMBASSY PARIS CONSIDERS EUROSATORY 2006 AN
EXEMPLARY OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE VIA A STRATEGIC
PARTICIPATION PLAN THAT THE UNITED STATES REMAINS COMMITTED
TO LEADERSHIP IN ACHIEVING GLOBAL SECURITY AND STABILITY.
RECOMMEND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROVAL FOR FULL, DIRECT
PARTICIPATION IN EUROSATORY 2006. LEACH