UKRAINE: POTENTIAL SALE OF CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KYIV 004196 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR PM/RSAT, EUR/UMB AND EUR/PRA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016 TAGS: PREL ETTC EAIR ETRD PARM MARR MASS VE UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE: POTENTIAL SALE OF CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT TO VENEZUELA REF: A. STATE 174927 ¶B. KIEV 3751 ¶C. KIEV 3672 ¶D. STATE 155336 Classified By: Political Counselor Kent Logsdon for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (C) We provided ref A talking points November 6 to MFA Arms Control and Military Technical Cooperation Department Counselor Igor Kyzym, who said the information was timely since he would be able to relay the USG position to the interagency Presidential Committee on Export Controls and Military Technical Cooperation, which meets in two weeks (note: and which provides final approval for export licenses). We stressed that we had no objection to a purely civilian sale of AN-74 aircraft to Venezuela, but Kyzym adopted a rather defensive posture, implying that this was an important possible sale for Ukraine. ¶3. (C) Noting the dire straits of Ukraine's aviation industry and the importance of a significant aircraft sale, Kyzym said very little distinguished civilian and military versions of the AN-74. We opined that, under such circumstances, the identity of the end-user would be critical. Kyzym agreed and noted our request for continued consultations regarding the sale. The subject would be an appropriate topic for the next U.S.-Ukraine nonproliferation working group (NPWG) meeting, which should take place this time in Washington. Kyzym inquired whether the U.S. side had proposed dates. ¶4. (C) Request guidance to respond to Kyzym's request for proposed dates of the next NPWG session. ¶5. (U) Visit Embassy Kyiv's classified website: www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/kiev. Taylor