"DOWNGRADED VERA": LIKELY CZECH YES TO PAKISTAN,

S E C R E T PRAGUE 001252 SIPDIS NOFORN EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE, PM/RSAT FOR BOCKLAGE, INR/SPM FOR ZARZECKI E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015 TAGS: ETTC EZ KSTC PARM PREL PK VM SUBJECT: "DOWNGRADED VERA": LIKELY CZECH YES TO PAKISTAN, MFA SAYS NO TO VIETNAM REF: A. PRAGUE 1104 ¶B. PRAGUE 1146 Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney for reasons 1.4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (g) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to formally oppose a sale of a passive surveillance system, model ASDD-01, to Vietnam. This move effectively blocks that deal for the immediate future. The GOCR is currently involved in a high-level debate on the merits of issuing a license for a one-year transfer of the same system to Pakistan. Septel will provide post suggestions for next steps. End summary. ¶2. (S/NF) MFA licensing head Petr Kaiser told Pol-Mil Off Aug 22nd that the MFA had decided to oppose the proposed sale of an ASDD-01 passive surveillance system to Vietnam. Under Czech licensing procedures this will effectively end the deal in its current form. ¶3. (S/NF) On Aug 23rd MFA licensing officer Frantisek Gal told Pol-Mil Off that the proposed one-year marketing loan of an ASDD-01 to Pakistan was "no longer in MFA hands." Gal further reported that the MFA had insisted that nonproliferation measures be part of the Pakistan deal (Note: We have requested a list of the MFA-required nonproliferation measures and will report them septel). Under normal circumstances, MFA acquiescence would swiftly lead to licensing of the transfer. However National Security Advisor (equivalent) Miroslav Kostelka Aug 25 confided to Charge that the GOCR is involved in a high-level discussion on the merits of the ASDD-01 transfer to Pakistan. The GOCR was mindful of U.S. non-proliferation concerns but was also aware that the U.S. had taken the decision to sell F-16's to Pakistan. Kostelka noted possible ramifications for the Czech-Indian economic relationship could also be a significant factor. ¶4. (S/NF) Post continues to engage on this topic and will build on our policy recommendations (Reftels) septel. MUNTER