Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN2103
2007-11-21 12:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

(S) GERMANY WILL GRANT LICENSE FOR EXPORT OF

Tags:  ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY GM IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #2103 3251223
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 211223Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9849
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0547
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0309
S E C R E T BERLIN 002103 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, ISN, NEA, EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017
TAGS: ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY GM IS
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY WILL GRANT LICENSE FOR EXPORT OF
HIGH-SPEED CAMERA TO ISRAEL ABSENT USG OBJECTION BY
NOVEMBER 29

REF: A. DELABARRE/CONWAY EMAIL - 10/10/2007


B. BERLIN 1741

C. BERLIN 1467

D. STATE 100637

E. BERLIN 1341

Classified By: Global Affairs Counselor Donald R. Shemanski
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T BERLIN 002103

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, ISN, NEA, EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017
TAGS: ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY GM IS
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY WILL GRANT LICENSE FOR EXPORT OF
HIGH-SPEED CAMERA TO ISRAEL ABSENT USG OBJECTION BY
NOVEMBER 29

REF: A. DELABARRE/CONWAY EMAIL - 10/10/2007


B. BERLIN 1741

C. BERLIN 1467

D. STATE 100637

E. BERLIN 1341

Classified By: Global Affairs Counselor Donald R. Shemanski
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 5.


2. (S) German MFA Export Control Division Desk Officer Volker
Herzog passed Global Affairs officer November 21 a
German-language nonpaper (see para 4) announcing the German
Government's intention to grant a license for the export to
Israel of an electronic intensified image camera for Rafael
Armament Authority unless the USG presents a written
objection by November 29. Herzog said the German
Government's interagency export control working group had
agreed to follow this course of action on the grounds that
the camera's technical parameters are "well below" the level
of utility for a nuclear weapons program. Herzog noted that
the MFA had passed a nonpaper in September (ref B) outlining
the reasons why German export control authorities believe the
camera under consideration is not appropriate for use in
monitoring nuclear explosions. He also noted the German
Government to date has not received a response from the USG,
notwithstanding the fact that Germany had requested a
response by October 4.


3. (S) On the basis of ref A information, Global Affairs
officer reported to MFA officials October 10 that a U.S.
response was still being prepared, but conveyed ISN's
preliminary, informal assessment that, if the camera speed
and light sensitivity parameters are in fact significantly
below nuclear control threshold, the camera might not be
covered by the NSG Part 2 Dual-Use Annex camera entry.
Global Affairs officer also used the occasion to reiterate
ref D concerns regarding Rafael, citing the history of
related NSG denials. (COMMENT: Post notes the most recent
German nonpaper overstates the substance and extent of the
October 10 conversation with the German MFA. END COMMENT.)


4. (S) Begin text of Embassy-prepared informal translation of
German-language nonpaper:

-- We thank you for the information in your nonpaper of July
19, 2007 regarding the delivery of a camera to the Rafael
Armament Development Authority in Israel.

-- In our nonpaper of September 4, 2007 we outlined
additional elements of evaluation and requested
re-examination on the grounds that they might qualify the
(export) license application for approval. On October 10,
2007 we were verbally notified by the U.S. Embassy that, on
the basis the observations in our September 4 nonpaper, U.S.
authorities no longer held the originally expressed concerns.
We requested a corresponding nonpaper, but to date have not
received one.

-- On the basis of the observations made in our September 4
nonpaper and because of the verbal U.S. response indicating
the USA does not have further concerns, we propose to proceed
with the issuance of an export license. Should this
assumption not be correct, we request a corresponding
communication by November 29.

-- We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation in
the area of export controls.

End text.


5. (S) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: Post understands the
Department is preparing a written response indicating the USG
finds no basis to object to approval of the export. Post
requests Department proceed with preparation of this response
and, in light of German comments claiming the USG has "no
further concerns," asks that the final product reiterate
proliferation concerns regarding Rafael Armament Authority.
TIMKEN JR