GHQ TO TRANSFER PUMA HELICOPTERS TO PAKISTAN

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000686 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SRAP, SCA/P, NEA/ARP AND PM/DDTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL ETRD PGOV PK AE SUBJECT: GHQ TO TRANSFER PUMA HELICOPTERS TO PAKISTAN ¶1. (SBU) On July 6, the Ambassador met with UAE Armed Forces (GHQ) Chief of Staff LtGen Mohamed Al Thani Al Rumaithi to urge GHQ to complete expeditiously necessary USG documents for authorizing the transfer to Pakistan of US-origin equipment (Rockwell Collins radios and Cubic PLS) on 14 UAE Puma helicopters. Al Rumaithi said the UAE was rotating the Pumas out of active duty and hoped to complete the transfers quickly. He appeared unaware of the specific steps required to obtain USG approval, but tasked his assistant Brig. Faris Al Mazrouei with follow up. Al Mazrouei said Pakistan had told GHQ that neither the radios or PLS were needed. The Ambassador stressed that the USG could authorize the equipment for transfer to Pakistan immediately upon receipt of the details from GHQ. ¶2. (SBU) Later on July 6, GHQ provided the necessary documents for the transfer authorization of the Rockwell Collins radios, which have been forwarded to PM/DDTC. Col. Waheed Al Zaaki of GHQ General Purchasing told EconOff that he is now working to obtain a completed DSP-83 for the Cubic equipment. OLSON