ROMANIA: F-16 AIRCRAFT TRANSFER OFFER

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