(S) GERMAN QUERY ON ALLOWING EXPORT OF HIGH-SPEED

S E C R E T BERLIN 001341 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN, NEA/IPA, AND EUR/AGS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2017 TAGS: MNUC ETTC PARM PREL IS GM SUBJECT: (S) GERMAN QUERY ON ALLOWING EXPORT OF HIGH-SPEED CAMERA TO ISRAEL'S RAFAEL ARMAMENT REF: A. APR 12 FELIPE-O'KEEFE E-MAIL ¶B. BERLIN 533 Classified By: Global Affairs Counselor Donald R. Shemanski, for reason s 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) German MFA Export Control Division Desk Officer Andreas Kauke passed the following German-language non-paper to Global Affairs officer June 19. The non-paper requests USG input into a licensing decision by the German Federal Economic and Export Licensing Agency (BAFA) concerning the export of a German-produced charged couple device (CCD) camera, which is listed in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Guidelines as a dual-use item suitable for research into nuclear explosions. The unnamed German firm plans to export the CCD camera to Israel's Rafael Armament Development Authority, Ltd. ¶3. (S) Begin unofficial embassy translation of German-language non-paper: Allow s to bring the following information to the attentin of U.S. authorities: -- German export control authorities are currently considering an application for issuance of an export license for a photo-enhancing CCD camera with accessories, which supposedly will be exported to the firm Rafael Armament Development Authority, Ltd., Manor Division, Production Plant in Haifa, Israel. -- Research into plasma production is the reported end use for this item. -- The item is listed by the NSG, because it can be used in the research of nuclear explosions. -- In view of the possibility of the diversion of this sensitive item, we would be grateful for the U.S. authorities to investigate and communicate to us whether there is evidence for a connection between the end user and a nuclear or missile launcher delivery program. -- The German authorities have relevant knowledge about the activities of the end user in the area of conventional armaments, but not in the areas of weapons of mass destruction or missile systems technology. We look forward to our continuing outstanding cooperation in the area of export controls. End text of translation of German-language non-paper. ¶4. (U) Post requests guidance to respond to the German Government query contained in the non-paper. TIMKEN JR