Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUCHAREST635
2006-04-18 15:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

ROMANIA: F-16 AIRCRAFT TRANSFER OFFER

Tags:  MARR MASS PGOV PREL RO IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0041
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBM #0635 1081539
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181539Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4194
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 2191
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000635 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH;
STATE ALSO FOR PM/RSAT - BLEE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PREL RO IS
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: F-16 AIRCRAFT TRANSFER OFFER

REF: A. STATE 48166 (NOTAL)

B. BUCHAREST 436

Classified By: CDA Mark Taplin for Reasons
1.4 (a),(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000635

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH;
STATE ALSO FOR PM/RSAT - BLEE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PREL RO IS
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: F-16 AIRCRAFT TRANSFER OFFER

REF: A. STATE 48166 (NOTAL)

B. BUCHAREST 436

Classified By: CDA Mark Taplin for Reasons
1.4 (a),(b) and (d)


1. (C/NF) It is Embassy's understanding, further to
discussions with senior MOD officials, that the GOR has not
made up its mind regarding the procurement source of F-16
aircraft. Although President Basescu ruled out that
possibility in a March conversation with the Ambassador (Ref
B),it is still possible that the GOR might seek to obtain
aircraft from Israel.


2. (C/NF) During the visit last week to Bucharest of Bruce
Lemkin, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs of
the United States Air Force, a senior MOD official stated on
several occasions that Romania "needs to look for the most
cost-effective solution" regarding F-16 acquisition. While we
think a formal GOR decision in favor of F-16 acquisition from
Israel is unlikely, it would be premature to deny, at this
time, the GOI retransfer request on that basis. Further,
Post requests that the Department not release to the GOI at
this time information regarding Basescu's comments about the
acquisition, given that the GOR has not announced a final
decision.
TAPLIN