DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CNSA RESPONSE TO VENEZUELAN SATELLITE

UNCLAS BEIJING 004088 EAP/CM FOR JHABJAN EEB/CIP/TS FOR DOUG MAY SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TSPA KSCA CH SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CNSA RESPONSE TO VENEZUELAN SATELLITE DEMARCHE REF: STATE 114820 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (SBU) On October 29, ESTHOFF conveyed points in REFTEL and discussed the issue directly by phone with Mr. XU Yansong of the China National Space Agency's (CNSA)International Cooperation Department, who is already at the launch site (NOTE: The launch is set to take place on the morning of October 30, not/not November 1 as stated in REFTEL, a fact Xu confirmed directly to ESTHOFF. END NOTE) Post also transmitted points in writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Americas Division, and urged the two agencies to coordinate quickly in order to work out a suitable solution. ¶3. (SBU) An hour later Xu contacted ESTHOFF again to notify Post that he had discussed the issue with representatives of the Great Wall Industry Cooperation (GWIC). According to (GWIC),the Venezuelan and Uruguay governments have received authorization from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to proceed with the launch, Venezuela has fulfilled ITU's treaty obligations, and Uruguay has registered the orbit; therefore, GWIC sees no problem with the launch going forward as planned. ¶4. (SBU) In response, ESTHOFF reiterated that very recent information provided by Washington indicates that the issue of potential interference problems for U.S.-licensed satellite operators has indeed not yet been resolved, despite GWIC's assertions today, and requested that Xu discuss this issue directly with representatives of the Venezuelan government, who are currently present at the launch site. ESTHOFF further asked that Xu get directly in touch with MFA to discuss and coordinate an appropriate response. Xu agreed to these recommendations, and also stated that he would be discussing the issue with officials from the Ministry of Science Technology who are also present at the site. ¶5. (SBU) Post will report any additional information received from CNSA and/or MFA after hours by email and/or phone, but given that the launch is less than 8 hours away (sometime between midnight and 3:00 AM on October 30 Beijing time),and that the issue is not yet resolved, Post urges that Washington continue to work this issue with the Chinese Embassy. PICCUTA