Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN655
2009-06-02 16:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO THANKS TO GALILEO; ESA NOW
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UNCLAS BERLIN 000655
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR OES/SAT DAVID TURNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PGOV PINR MCAP PREL TSPA GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO THANKS TO GALILEO; ESA NOW
WORKING DEFENSE
UNCLAS BERLIN 000655
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR OES/SAT DAVID TURNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PGOV PINR MCAP PREL TSPA GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO THANKS TO GALILEO; ESA NOW
WORKING DEFENSE
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At the 3rd Annual Space Systems and
Security Conference in Potsdam, Germany, a senior German
officer firmly stated that his country does not anticipate
being a customer of the European Galileo Guidance Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS). Separately, a European Space Agency
(ESA) official emphasized the need to strengthen ESA,s role
in European defense projects. The conference was held from
May 26-27 and featured presentations on space situational
awareness (SSA),domestic security, Galileo, and advanced
remote
sensing satellites. END SUMMARY
GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO TO GALILEO
--------------
2. (SBU) German Luftwaffe Lieutenant General Friedrich W.
Ploeger of the German Joint Air Power Competence Center,
frankly told conference attendees that the German military
"does not have a military need for Galileo." Ploeger said
the alliance the German military has with the USG for use of
GPS is robust/working and remarked the German military's
limited budget would restrict its involvement with the
Galileo program.
ESA ANTICIPATES GREATER ROLE IN EU SECURITY
--------------
3. (SBU) Dr. Thomas Beer of the ESA outlined ESA's plans to
enter into European defense projects, a departure from its
original charter limiting activities to the peaceful use of
outer space. Beer said the peaceful use of outer space,
clause in ESA's charter was "re-examined" and it was
determined that nothing in this clause prevented ESA from
participating in European defense activities, as long as
these activities do not involve "aggressive activities."
Beer stated that ESA now has the European legal and policy
authorization to work on EU defense projects.
Koenig
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR OES/SAT DAVID TURNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PGOV PINR MCAP PREL TSPA GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO THANKS TO GALILEO; ESA NOW
WORKING DEFENSE
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At the 3rd Annual Space Systems and
Security Conference in Potsdam, Germany, a senior German
officer firmly stated that his country does not anticipate
being a customer of the European Galileo Guidance Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS). Separately, a European Space Agency
(ESA) official emphasized the need to strengthen ESA,s role
in European defense projects. The conference was held from
May 26-27 and featured presentations on space situational
awareness (SSA),domestic security, Galileo, and advanced
remote
sensing satellites. END SUMMARY
GERMAN GENERAL SAYS NO TO GALILEO
--------------
2. (SBU) German Luftwaffe Lieutenant General Friedrich W.
Ploeger of the German Joint Air Power Competence Center,
frankly told conference attendees that the German military
"does not have a military need for Galileo." Ploeger said
the alliance the German military has with the USG for use of
GPS is robust/working and remarked the German military's
limited budget would restrict its involvement with the
Galileo program.
ESA ANTICIPATES GREATER ROLE IN EU SECURITY
--------------
3. (SBU) Dr. Thomas Beer of the ESA outlined ESA's plans to
enter into European defense projects, a departure from its
original charter limiting activities to the peaceful use of
outer space. Beer said the peaceful use of outer space,
clause in ESA's charter was "re-examined" and it was
determined that nothing in this clause prevented ESA from
participating in European defense activities, as long as
these activities do not involve "aggressive activities."
Beer stated that ESA now has the European legal and policy
authorization to work on EU defense projects.
Koenig