CZECH GOVERNMENT SOLICITS US OPINION ON ARMS SALES

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000318

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2015
TAGS: PARM AF IR EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH GOVERNMENT SOLICITS US OPINION ON ARMS SALES
TO AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ

REF: PRAGUE 260

Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Mark Canning for reasons 1.4
(a) (b) (c).


1. (C) SUMMARY. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. The Czech
Republic has extensive surpluses of arms and ammunition left
over from the days of the Warsaw Pact. Licensing authorities
at the MFA are recieving many requests from Czech arms
dealers to sell the surplus munitions to the governments in
Afghanistan and Iraq. While the MFA is considering approval
of such sales, it has asked the Embassy whether the U.S. has
any objections; the Czechs admit they are not nearly as well
equipped as the USG to assess the situation in these two
countries. Two requests, reftel, are pending for
Afghanistan. A new request has just been received for Iraq.
If the U.S. has any objections to these proposed sales, post
would appreciate a timely response, in order, if necessary,
to block the sales before they are approved. END SUMMARY


2. (C) Reftel, sent February 23, describes two license
applications to sell roughly 1000 handguns to the Afghan
Ministry of the Interior and 1 million rounds of ammunition
to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Since the Czech Republic
has no diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, the MFA asked
whether the U.S. had any information that would lead them to
refuse the applications. The period during which the MFA can
consider the license applications will expire March 10. The
MFA could request a 30-day extension to continue gathering
information relevant to the license application. However,
poloff was told that the MFA is inclined to grant the
applications rather than request an extension, unless we
raise significant objections.


3. (C) At a meeting on March 3, the MFA informed us of a new
request which they are anticipating, but have not yet
formally received. The request is to sell 21 million rounds
of ammunition, to the Iraqi MOD. This transaction would be
handled by a bank in Lebanon. The ammunition itself would
also be shipped via Lebanon. The MFA is uncomfortable with
these aspects of the transaction. More details will be shared
when they become available in the formal license application.
The MFA would appreciate USG views on the sale.


4. (U) Post appreciates the caution shown by the MFA and its
willingness to consult with us. The surplus munitions are
likely to last for years and years. Petr Kaizer, the head of
the MFA's licensing office called the surplus, "a nightmare."
Post feels there is considerable value in the consultations
the MFA are offering. We look forward to a timely response
from Washington. Minimize considered.
HILLAS