POLES ADVISED AGAINST MANPADS TO GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001265 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/PRA ANITA FRIEDT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2017 TAGS: PARM MASS ETTC PGOV PREL GG PL SUBJECT: POLES ADVISED AGAINST MANPADS TO GEORGIA REF: SECSTATE 72899 Classified By: DCM Kenneth Hillas for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Polcouns delivered reftel demarche, advising that Poland not sell MANPADS to Georgia, to Ambassador Tadeusz Chomicki on May 29. Chomicki appreciated hearing the U.S. position, but politely cautioned that, "This decision rests with the highest authorities in Poland." As if to prepare us for bad news, he segued into a positive assessment of Georgia's readiness to responsibly manage MANPADS. He also clarified that, while Poland has not previously exported MANPADS, it never had a formal policy banning the export of MANPADS. If it should export them to Georgia, it would observe all "appropriate procedures," for any such export. MANPADS exported from Poland would not contain any Russian origin parts, Chomicki asserted. Chomicki was very interested in our offer to work with Georgia and NATO to improve Georgia's air defense, and noted that the GROM missile can also be mounted on a track-based platform. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche, emphasizing that our opposition was based on the nature of the weapon, and that we are prepared to work together with Georgia and NATO allies to improve Georgia's air defense capabilities. According to Chomicki, Georgia had, at the highest level, asked Poland for this assistance explicitly. He made clear that the subject had been discussed by Presidents Kaczynski and Saakashvili during their several meetings in the past year, and said the decision was based on Poland's policy of supporting Georgia's independence, ability to defend itself, and its NATO aspirations. In response, Poland had evaluated Georgia's physical security and export controls for MANPADS. Georgia's physical security impressed the Poles; Chomicki reported that it exceeded Wassenaar standards. On export controls, Georgia had offered a reassuring presentation, but had yet to provide actual working documents that would verify the truth of that presentation. Chomicki said that Poland would require clear documentation before any export would take place. Chomicki also expressed interest in working with us to strengthen Georgia's export controls systems. ¶3. (C) Chomicki reported that Poland's consideration of exporting MANPADS to Georgia was not a change in overall policy. He asserted that, while Poland had never exported MANPADS before--because of its concerns about the unique character of the weapon system--it did not have a formal policy banning such export altogether. He asserted Poland would observe all appropriate procedures in any transaction, including formal assurances for the secure storage of the MANPADS and prohibitions against the re-export of the system. Moreover, said Chomicki, any exported MANPADS would be 100% Polish products. Chomicki explained that Poland had asked Russia for relevant licenses, but Russia refused. So, Poland hired Russian scientists and thereby developed the necessary technologies to produce indigenous MANPADS. "It's not full production, but it's working," commented Chomicki. ¶4. (C) Chomicki evinced great interest in our statement that we are prepared to work together with Georgia, NATO and NATO member states to improve Georgia's air defense capabilities in ways that would be in line with its NATO aspirations and IPAP objectives. He noted that the Grom missile which is in the MANPAD system can be mounted on a different platform. He said that Grom missiles produced for the track system, for example, cannot be reconfigured into a man-portable system. PolCouns undertook to get back to Chomicki with further details on what we are prepared to discuss. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Despite our recommendation, the Poles may export MANPADS to Georgia. But, this is not certain. From Chomicki's remarks, it seems the President and Prime Minister themselves will decide this issue. Their pro-American perspective insures that our recommendation will be carefully considered. However, Chomicki made the case for a decision contrary to our recommendation, just in case. There has been some discussion on alternative ways to improve Georgia's air defense capabilities. In the past, Poland has considered exporting POPRADS, vehicle mounted Grom missiles, to Indonesia. Although POPRAD and MANPAD both use the Grom missile, in the past, Poland has asserted (as Chomicki did) that the POPRAD can not be reverse engineered to a MANPAD. So, it is possible that this option might surface as a compromise solution in this case. ¶6. (C) Comment Continued: President Kaczynski may raise this issue in his meeting with POTUS June 8, and the presidential party should be prepared to discuss it. END COMMENT. ASHE