Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE1145
2005-08-03 14:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

U.S. ANSWERS MFA CONCERNS ABOUT EXPORTS OF CZECH

Tags:  KOMC PREL IZ PGOV EZ AF 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001145 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2015
TAGS: KOMC PREL IZ PGOV EZ AF
SUBJECT: U.S. ANSWERS MFA CONCERNS ABOUT EXPORTS OF CZECH
AMMUNITION TO IRAQ

REF: A. HORNER-GREANEY E-MAILS 6/20/05 - 8/2/05

B. PRAGUE 889 NOTAL

C. PRAGUE 1104 NOTAL

Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001145

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2015
TAGS: KOMC PREL IZ PGOV EZ AF
SUBJECT: U.S. ANSWERS MFA CONCERNS ABOUT EXPORTS OF CZECH
AMMUNITION TO IRAQ

REF: A. HORNER-GREANEY E-MAILS 6/20/05 - 8/2/05

B. PRAGUE 889 NOTAL

C. PRAGUE 1104 NOTAL

Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1) This is an action request please see paragraph 5.

2) As reported Ref B, the licensing authorities at the Czech
MFA are often cautious about authorizing transfers of
ammunition to Iraq and Afghanistan. In Ref B, Embassy Prague
requested points of contact at Embassy Baghdad and Embassy
Kabul in order to develop answers to Czech MFA questions
about transfers to each country.

3) Embassy Baghdad's designated point of contact August 1
provided information that ammunition requests from the Iraqi
Ministries of Defense, Justice and Oil were: a) within the
powers of the ministries to contract, b) met an established
need for ammunition, and c) included provision for
appropriate secure storage.

4) Pol-Mil Off August 2 delivered this information to Petr
Kaiser, head of licensing at the Czech MFA. Kaiser indicated
that this was precisely the information needed. We expect the
MFA to issue a decision in favor of the ammunition transfers,
leading to issuance of a license by the Ministry for Industry
and Commerce. Post would like to thank Embassy Baghdad in
assisting with this information request in spite of staffing
shortages.

5) (C) Comment: We understand that when future Czech-Afghan
arms shipments take place, information gathering may be
difficult. The Czechs lack of an embassy in Kabul will limit
their own ability to assess the appropriateness of each arms
transfer. The Czech MFA's willingness to consult is driven by
a desire to ensure U.S. personnel and interests are not
endangered by a Czech arms deal. This consultative mechanism
has in recent months been placed under strain by U.S. delays
when dealing with other types of arms exports (Ref C). The
Czech MFA, while waiting for a U.S. response, has been
exposed to potential legal action from arms exporters for
failing to render an advisory opinion in a timely manner. MFA
contacts have warned that their ability to inject U.S. policy
concerns into the GOCR's export licensing process will be
limited if the U.S. is unable to render a timely opinion.
Post suggests that Embassy Kabul nominate a point of contact
to work with us to provide U.S. information on the
appropriateness of future deals. By doing so we can maximize
U.S. influence over future Czech decisions on arms exports to
Afghanistan. End comment.
CABANISS