Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BERLIN2828
2006-09-25 16:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMANY SHARES U.S. CONCERNS ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO

Tags:  MARR MASS PARM PREL ETTC VE GM 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #2828 2681610
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 251610Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5430
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0112
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 0235
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 002828 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA, PM, ISN, AND EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PARM PREL ETTC VE GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY SHARES U.S. CONCERNS ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO
VENEZUELA

REF: A. STATE 155336


B. BERLIN 489

C. 05 BERLIN 3924

Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 002828

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA, PM, ISN, AND EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PARM PREL ETTC VE GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY SHARES U.S. CONCERNS ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO
VENEZUELA

REF: A. STATE 155336


B. BERLIN 489

C. 05 BERLIN 3924

Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 4.


2. (C) Emboffs delivered ref A demarche September 22 to MFA
Arms Export Control Division Desk Officer Jan Freigang and
Venezuela Desk Officer Achim Troester. Freigang said Germany
closely evaluates all export license applications involving
goods on Germany's "military list," including applications to
export arms to Venezuela. Freigang noted that Germany
applies the criteria of the EU's code of conduct on a
case-by-case basis and, in many instances, has invoked
several criteria to deny licenses for exporting arms to
Venezuela. Freigang said Germany has been "extremely
cautious" for the past 12-15 months and approved few
defense-related transfers to Venezuela. Freigang noted
Germany has been in close touch with the USG on this issue
through Wassenaar channels.


3. (C) Troester said Germany's assessment of recent steps
taken by Venezuela's government is similar to ours,
particularly with respect to domestic actions. Troester said
Germany is aware of U.S. concerns about the risk of arms
diversions to designated foreign terrorist groups operating
in Colombia and asked whether there is evidence the
Venezuelan government is directly supporting such groups.
Freigang asked about the existence of evidence that the
Venezuelan government has facilitated the diversion of arms
to gray or black arms markets in the hemisphere.


4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Troester and Freigang asked whether
the USG would be able to share factual evidence with the
German government that Germany's interagency export control
working group could use in their considerations of
arms-related export license applications. Troester and
Freigang said such information would help convince German
policy makers of the need for continued close scrutiny of
arms export licenses to Venezuela. Post seeks Department's
guidance to respond to the German request.

TIMKEN JR