GERMANY: ONE OF EUROPE'S LEADING ARMS EXPORTERS SEES NO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000166 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR PARM GM SUBJECT: GERMANY: ONE OF EUROPE'S LEADING ARMS EXPORTERS SEES NO CONFLICT WITH ARMS CONTROL AGENDA ¶1. (U) Summary: Germany exported 7.7 billion Euros worth of arms in 2006, making it one of the largest arms exporters in the European Union. Almost half of these sales were to other NATO and EU member states in support of cooperative multinational projects like the Eurofighter. But critics point out that a significant portion of Germany's arms sales -- more than 1 billion Euros worth -- was to countries that have dubious human rights records or which are located in unstable regions. German officials insist that Germany gives due consideration to human rights concerns in its arms export licensing policy, noting that German policy guidelines are even stricter than the EU Code of Conduct. Despite the negative media attention, German policymakers see no contradiction between Germany's status as a major arms exporter and its foreign policy positions eschewing the use of military force and prioritizing arms control. End Summary. Exports to Countries with "Human Rights Concerns" -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to the 2006 German Arms Exports Report (R|stungsexportbericht 2006),Germany exported 7.7 billion Euros worth of arms in that year, of which 4.2 billion Euros was sold to non-allied (NATO, EU, and the "like-minded" group of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland) nations. This makes Germany the leading arms exporter in the EU and the sixth largest arms exporter in the world according to some statistical measures. The German media has criticized the government's arms export record for delivering arms to countries with dubious human rights records or countries that are situated in unstable regions where arms imports could stimulate armed conflicts. Of course, a number of the countries listed as "problematic" by the media were key allies in the fight against terror. German media and human rights NGOs criticized, for example, arms exports to nations such as Israel, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. ¶3. (SBU) German Economics Ministry officials note the media controversy was, in part, provoked by media interpretation of arms export statistics compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI),which calculate the "strategic value" of arms exports, rather than their actual financial value. Ministry officials stress that human rights considerations play a key role in arms export licensing decisions. License requests for exports to non-EU and non-NATO countries are decided on a case-by-case basis, using both the EU Code of Conduct and "even stricter" German policy guidelines. In difficult cases, the Economics Ministry seeks policy guidance from the MFA. ¶4. (SBU) Economics Ministry officials indicate that Pakistan remains a major concern, noting that arms exports (and dual-use exports) to Pakistan have been suspended -- and all export licensing decisions deferred -- pending the results of parliamentary elections. Even after the elections, human rights considerations may prompt the Ministry to maintain the suspension. Ministry officials hastened to add that the German Government would also factor into its decision-making both counterterrorism concerns and Pakistan's importance as a strategic partner. Economics Ministry officials also note the "necessity" of using arms sales to build a closer strategic partnership with India. ¶5. (SBU) Although the German Government does not unilaterally impose arms embargoes, Ministry officials claim that Germany generally adopts a stricter interpretation of UN and EU embargoes than other EU member states. For instance, German implementation of the EU's embargo on arms sales to China restricts the entire range of Wassenaar-listed munitions, going far beyond the EU embargo on sales of lethal weapons and open platforms. Ministry officials speculated that, even if the EU embargo were lifted, the German Government would not permit exports of arms to China. Individual- vs. Blanket-Approval -------------- ¶6. (U) Germany's arms export report distinguishes between individually-approved arms exports (Einzelausfuhr-genehmigungen) and blanket-approval items (Sammelausfuhr-genehmigungen). The first category (4.2 billion Euros in 2006; 4.2 billion in 2005; 3.8 billion in 2004) requires German government approval for the export of every individual item. Blanket-approval items (3.5 billion Euros in 2006; 2 billion in 2005; 2.4 billion in 2004) are only allowed for certain items exported to EU and NATO member states and are issued for cooperative projects, such as the Eurofighter, Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and others. Breakdowns for Individually-Approved Items -------------- ¶7. (U) The Report (published yearly) distinguishes between three main categories of recipients, listed below with the value of goods exported: BERLIN 00000166 002 OF 002 A) EU Member States: 1.9 billion Euros (2005: 1.4 billion; 2004: 1.9 billion); B) Non-EU NATO allies and "like-minded": 1.2 billion Euros (2005: 1.1 billion; 2004: 800 million); and, C) Other countries: 1.1 billion Euros (2005: 1.7; 2004: 1.1 billion). The "controversial" portion of exports falls under this category. ¶8. (U) The largest categories of individually-approved exports are vehicles (such as tanks and armored vehicles),military electronics, and warships (30.5%, 17.9%, and 13.5% respectively) with a smaller percentage of total sales including small arms and munitions. Sale of Used Bundeswehr Equipment -------------- ¶9. (U) The German military is currently transforming into an expeditionary force and is discarding much of its Cold War era weapons systems. As a result, the Bundeswehr's sale /Q}iuct_Q= U#Q or 9.2% of all exports of military weapons. These include tanks, submarines and other military hardware. The largest recipient of those goods is Greece (54%),likely due to that country's ongoing purchase of submarines and other military hardware from Germany. The Bundeswehr also contributed to exports in other sectors by exporting tanks and armored vehicles although specific destination countries are unfortunately not listed in the report. Exports to Countries Receiving Development Aid -------------- -- ¶10. (U) The value of Germany's arms exports to countries receiving development aid has declined from about 900 million Euros in 2005 to 400 million Euros in 2006. This is generally in line with the belief of many politicians in Germany, who believe nations in need of development aid should spend their money for humanitarian and development purposes rather than on arms. Of the 400 million Euros worth of individually-approved items exported, Pakistan accounted for 36%, India for 29%, Brazil for 7.1% and Jordan for 5.6%. Comment: Political vs. Economic Gain -------------- ¶11. (SBU) While Germany's status as the EU's leading arms exporter may seem incongruous with its pacifistic tendencies in foreign policy and preoccupation with arms control, German MFA officials argue that the percentage of arms exports to developing countries is much smaller than from other arms exporting countries, and that the goods exported to such countries are carefully reviewed prior to export. Because they see no contradiction between their arms export record and their arms control rhetoric, we can expect the Germans, without a hint of self-consciousness, to keep pursuing an aggressive arms control agenda at NATO and in other international fora. ¶12. (SBU) The main impetus behind German arms exports is, of course, economic -- the Bundeswehr's procurement budget is simply insufficient to fully occupy the productive capacity of the German arms industry. Without overseas markets, the arms industry would have to downsize and lay off German employees -- something that no German politician, regardless of party, wants to see. Notwithstanding the economic impetus behind German arms exports, government officials insist on the basis of their rigorous case-by-case consideration of arms export license applications and close attention to human rights concerns that there is no contradiction between their foreign policy rhetoric and arms export record. TIMKEN