(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