Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD40
2009-01-08 13:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ACTION REQUEST: U.S. WEAPONS RELEASE TO IRAQ -
how-toVZCZCXRO2228 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0040/01 0081328 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081328Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1140 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/USCENTCOM SPECIAL HANDLING MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000040
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IZ MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PINS PNAT PTER
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: U.S. WEAPONS RELEASE TO IRAQ -
NIGHT VISION DEVICES FOR MOD
REF: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQI MOD AND
MNSTC-I ON COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR THE STORAGE
SECURITY AND INVENTORY OF NIGHT VISION
DEVICES - NOV 18 2005
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000040
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IZ MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PINS PNAT PTER
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: U.S. WEAPONS RELEASE TO IRAQ -
NIGHT VISION DEVICES FOR MOD
REF: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQI MOD AND
MNSTC-I ON COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR THE STORAGE
SECURITY AND INVENTORY OF NIGHT VISION
DEVICES - NOV 18 2005
1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 10.
2. (SBU) Summary: The Country Team requests the immediate
release of U.S. military specification night vision devices
(NVDs) to the Government of Iraq (GOI). Specifically, this
request is for AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-7 and AN/PVS-7D NVDs. These
U.S military specification NVDs will be used by the Iraqi
Ministry of Defense (MoD) to train and equip Iraqi Ground
Forces to fight terrorism in urban and rural environments at
night in total darkness. This will advance nighttime
operational effectiveness while reducing collateral damage
risk. This request is for the sale of 124 AN/PVS-5, 360
AN/PVS-7 and 849 AN/PVS-7D NVDs valued at an estimated $6M US
dollars. End Summary.
--------------
Description of Technology for Release
--------------
3. (SBU) NVDs provide high quality image clarity essential
for safe night time counter-terrorism operations. They allow
the wearer to select and clearly identify the enemy and
reduce the possibility of collateral damage.
--------------
Rationale for Technology Release
--------------
4. (SBU) Iraqi Ground Forces are in urgent need of viable
night vision capabilities that will allow them to safely and
effectively execute night counter-terrorism operations,
particularly in conjunction with Coalition Forces. Release
of NVDs will greatly enhance their ability to conduct
counter-terrorism missions, improve interoperability with
Coalition forces, and improve their ability to maintain their
own defense and security. Fielding modern capable NVDs will
also contribute to eventual Coalition advisory transition of
Iraqi forces to independent operations.
--------------
Iraq Safeguarding Sensitive Technology
--------------
5. (SBU) Iraq has demonstrated the intent and ability to
protect sensitive, classified military technology since
working with U.S. and Coalition forces. An Article 505
agreement (signed by the GOI July 24, 2004) demonstrates
Iraq's commitment to protect grant defense articles and
technology similar to our standards. Special notes in the
signed Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for NVD physical
security and accountability define Iraqi responsibility for
the controlled access and 100% physical count inventory for
the safeguarding of NVDs purchased through Foreign Military
Sales (FMS). Upon request, inventory and accountability
records maintained by the Iraqis will made available to U.S.
personnel conducting Enhanced End Use Monitoring (EEUM)
through the GOLDEN SENTRY program and Multi-National Security
Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) Security Assistance Office
(SAO) Standard Operating Procedures. Additionally, a
Memorandum of Agreement Compliance Plan for the Storage,
Security and Inventory of Night Vision Devices was signed by
the Iraqi MOD on 18 November 2005. We will also continue to
mentor the Iraqi Forces on their accountability and control
of NVDs in order to provide long-term cooperation with GOI.
All the necessary documentation of U.S. to GOI transfer,
receipt and inventory of NVDs will be obtained, reviewed and
Qreceipt and inventory of NVDs will be obtained, reviewed and
recorded for GOLDEN SENTRY EEUM purposes.
--------------
Anticipated Reaction from Neighboring Nations
--------------
6. (SBU) We do not anticipate the release of NVDs to the
Government of Iraq to adversely affect the regional balance
of power or cause negative reactions from neighboring
nations, as these system are already fielded in many
countries of the region.
--------------
Iraq's Political Importance to the Region
--------------
BAGHDAD 00000040 002 OF 002
7. (SBU) A stable, democratically-elected Iraqi government,
capable of protecting its people and sovereignty, and
remaining at peace with its neighbors is one of the USG's
highest priorities. The release and employment NVDs will
facilitate progress toward this goal, advancing the Iraqi
security forces' ability to identify, target and carry out
night operations against anti-Iraqi forces while reducing the
risk to self and others.
--------------
Source of Financing and Economic Impact
--------------
8. (SBU) This purchase will be financed by Government of Iraq
funds. The cost is estimated at $6M. There is no significant
economic impact anticipated to be generated by this sale.
--------------
Relevant Human Rights Considerations
--------------
9. (SBU) There are no human rights considerations that should
preclude the release of the defense equipment to the Iraqi
Armed Forces.
--------------
Action Request
--------------
10. (SBU) We request immediate Washington approval for the
release of U.S. military specification AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-7 and
AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Devices to the Government of Iraq, for
use by the Ministry of Defense.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IZ MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PINS PNAT PTER
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: U.S. WEAPONS RELEASE TO IRAQ -
NIGHT VISION DEVICES FOR MOD
REF: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAQI MOD AND
MNSTC-I ON COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR THE STORAGE
SECURITY AND INVENTORY OF NIGHT VISION
DEVICES - NOV 18 2005
1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 10.
2. (SBU) Summary: The Country Team requests the immediate
release of U.S. military specification night vision devices
(NVDs) to the Government of Iraq (GOI). Specifically, this
request is for AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-7 and AN/PVS-7D NVDs. These
U.S military specification NVDs will be used by the Iraqi
Ministry of Defense (MoD) to train and equip Iraqi Ground
Forces to fight terrorism in urban and rural environments at
night in total darkness. This will advance nighttime
operational effectiveness while reducing collateral damage
risk. This request is for the sale of 124 AN/PVS-5, 360
AN/PVS-7 and 849 AN/PVS-7D NVDs valued at an estimated $6M US
dollars. End Summary.
--------------
Description of Technology for Release
--------------
3. (SBU) NVDs provide high quality image clarity essential
for safe night time counter-terrorism operations. They allow
the wearer to select and clearly identify the enemy and
reduce the possibility of collateral damage.
--------------
Rationale for Technology Release
--------------
4. (SBU) Iraqi Ground Forces are in urgent need of viable
night vision capabilities that will allow them to safely and
effectively execute night counter-terrorism operations,
particularly in conjunction with Coalition Forces. Release
of NVDs will greatly enhance their ability to conduct
counter-terrorism missions, improve interoperability with
Coalition forces, and improve their ability to maintain their
own defense and security. Fielding modern capable NVDs will
also contribute to eventual Coalition advisory transition of
Iraqi forces to independent operations.
--------------
Iraq Safeguarding Sensitive Technology
--------------
5. (SBU) Iraq has demonstrated the intent and ability to
protect sensitive, classified military technology since
working with U.S. and Coalition forces. An Article 505
agreement (signed by the GOI July 24, 2004) demonstrates
Iraq's commitment to protect grant defense articles and
technology similar to our standards. Special notes in the
signed Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for NVD physical
security and accountability define Iraqi responsibility for
the controlled access and 100% physical count inventory for
the safeguarding of NVDs purchased through Foreign Military
Sales (FMS). Upon request, inventory and accountability
records maintained by the Iraqis will made available to U.S.
personnel conducting Enhanced End Use Monitoring (EEUM)
through the GOLDEN SENTRY program and Multi-National Security
Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) Security Assistance Office
(SAO) Standard Operating Procedures. Additionally, a
Memorandum of Agreement Compliance Plan for the Storage,
Security and Inventory of Night Vision Devices was signed by
the Iraqi MOD on 18 November 2005. We will also continue to
mentor the Iraqi Forces on their accountability and control
of NVDs in order to provide long-term cooperation with GOI.
All the necessary documentation of U.S. to GOI transfer,
receipt and inventory of NVDs will be obtained, reviewed and
Qreceipt and inventory of NVDs will be obtained, reviewed and
recorded for GOLDEN SENTRY EEUM purposes.
--------------
Anticipated Reaction from Neighboring Nations
--------------
6. (SBU) We do not anticipate the release of NVDs to the
Government of Iraq to adversely affect the regional balance
of power or cause negative reactions from neighboring
nations, as these system are already fielded in many
countries of the region.
--------------
Iraq's Political Importance to the Region
--------------
BAGHDAD 00000040 002 OF 002
7. (SBU) A stable, democratically-elected Iraqi government,
capable of protecting its people and sovereignty, and
remaining at peace with its neighbors is one of the USG's
highest priorities. The release and employment NVDs will
facilitate progress toward this goal, advancing the Iraqi
security forces' ability to identify, target and carry out
night operations against anti-Iraqi forces while reducing the
risk to self and others.
--------------
Source of Financing and Economic Impact
--------------
8. (SBU) This purchase will be financed by Government of Iraq
funds. The cost is estimated at $6M. There is no significant
economic impact anticipated to be generated by this sale.
--------------
Relevant Human Rights Considerations
--------------
9. (SBU) There are no human rights considerations that should
preclude the release of the defense equipment to the Iraqi
Armed Forces.
--------------
Action Request
--------------
10. (SBU) We request immediate Washington approval for the
release of U.S. military specification AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-7 and
AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Devices to the Government of Iraq, for
use by the Ministry of Defense.
CROCKER