EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO RECOMMEND USE OF SPACE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000652 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/SAT DEPT FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EIND EU EUN TSPA TSPL SUBJECT: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO RECOMMEND USE OF SPACE ASSETS IN EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE POLICY-RESPONSE TO C-WP7-02359 REF: BRUSSELS 651 ¶1. (U) The European Parliament is set to adopt a resolution on "the contribution of space assets to ESDP" (European Security and Defense Policy) in July of this year. The current text of the resolution, as drafted by the chairman of the Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defense (SEDE) Karl Von Wogau, stresses the necessity of the EU's satellite navigation system Galileo for "autonomous ESDP operations, for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and for Europe's own security." Even though the Parliament's resolution--once adopted--will not have any binding effect, it marks a further shift in the debate among European policy-makers on a possible military use of Galileo, once it becomes operational in 2013. ¶2. (U) At its inception in 1999, the European Commission presented Galileo as a European satellite navigation system designed specifically for civilian and commercial purposes and controlled by civil management. Already in 2003, individual European Parliamentarians suggested the military use of Galileo. In May 2007, when it presented its proposals for public financing of Galileo after a public-private partnership had collapsed, the Commission took the view that civilian space programs, such as Galileo, have a multiple-use capacity and may have military users. ¶3. (SBU) Beyond Galileo, MEP Von Wogau's draft resolution urges the EU and NATO to "launch a strategic dialogue on space policy and missile defense; especially on the complementarity and interoperability of systems for satellite communications, space surveillance, and early warning of ballistic missiles, as well as protection of European forces by a theater missile defense system." It calls upon "the European Union and the United States of America to engage in a strategic dialogue on the use of space assets." (Note: The European Commission has asked for a similar discussion to take place during the U.S.-EU Civil Space Dialogue this May in Brussels. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) The draft resolution also calls for several steps defining an international regime for uses of space. Specifically, the resolution concentrates on transparency and the application of peaceful uses of space, within the frameworks of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the UN Conference on Disarmament. Additionally, in requesting international actors to refrain from the use of offensive weapons in outer space, the resolution condemns the action taken by China in January, 2007, in its test of an anti-satellite weapon, which generated a marked increase in the levels of long-life space debris. In calling for an increase in international transparency, the draft resolution requests that all nations register all satellites, including military satellites. (Note: Commission and Member State representatives have indicated to USEU EconOffs that Europe is looking to develop a domestic space situational awareness capability so that it no longer needs to rely on U.S. reporting of satellites. End note.) ¶5. (U) In addition of the use of Galileo for ESDP operations, MEP Von Wogau's draft report discusses: --the need for EU member states to "pool and exchange the geospatial intelligence necessary for autonomous EU threat assessment"; --the use, coordination and compatibility of earth observation and reconnaissance instruments; --the importance for ESDP of satellite telecommunication systems; --the creation of a European space surveillance system; --the development of a European capability for satellite-based early warning against ballistic missile launches; --the exchange of signal intelligence at European level; --secure, independent and sustainable access to space for the EU; --the need for the EU to set up an operational budget for space assets that serve to support ESDP and European security interests; --the necessity to protect the EU's space infrastructure. BRUSSELS 00000652 002 OF 002 ¶6. (SBU) Comment: From several public statements among Parliamentarians, as well as private comments made to USEU EconOffs from Member State representatives, the drive for increased use of space assets in security settings appears to be two-fold. First, much of this infrastructure is being developed through public funds, and as many Europeans hope, using exclusively European components, thereby producing ITAR-free systems. (Note: Galileo appears to be an exception. See reference cable for details. End note.) As such, many government officials consider it to be completely illogical that Europe would withhold the best technology available from use in protecting its borders or by European military personnel "putting their lives in danger" in combat zones. In the case of Galileo, MEP von Wogau has stated previously that if Galileo is transmitting signals anyway, there is no reason that applications should not be developed to take advantage of them. The second piece is a continuation of the European push to develop strategic independence from the U.S. While Europe intends to continue discussions and cooperation with the U.S. on aspects related to space, it is displaying a desire to move from being a dependent user of U.S. capabilities to becoming closer to an equal partner. There remains an inherent belief in many Europeans that the U.S. has taken strides to limit Europe's development, and this belief tends to increase European resolve to move forward. As in the case of Galileo, several Europeans have commented to USEU EconOffs that early U.S. opposition to Galileo was possibly the strongest driving force to advancing the program. End comment. MURRAY .