OUTMODED BELGIAN HELICOPTERS RUMORED TO BE HEADED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000913 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, AF/E, ISN AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2019 TAGS: ETTC PREL PARM BE MA SUBJECT: OUTMODED BELGIAN HELICOPTERS RUMORED TO BE HEADED TO MADAGASCAR Classified By: Acting Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene, reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. 2.(U) The Belgian press reported on July 2 that the Belgian Ministry of Defense has received five bids from private companies and European individuals to purchase 23 Alouette II helicopters. The sales are consistent with the Belgian MOD's intention to sell off outmoded military equipment to raise funds both for operations and investment in new equipment. Reportedly, at least one of the bidders has the intention of selling the helicopters on to the government of Madagascar. The press report emphasizes recent political problems in Madagascar surrounding the deposing of Marc Ravalomanana. ¶3. (C) Normally, sales of military or dual use equipment are subject to an export license requirement in Belgium. The press reports quote an unnamed Ministry of Defense official as saying that the helicopters are "demilitarized" and therefore do not require an end use certificate. On July 2, Poloff mentioned the press report to Filip De Clercq, an official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Non-proliferation and Export Controls. De Clercq said he had not seen the report but would look into it. ¶4. (C) Action request: Post requests guidance as to whether the potential of a sale of 23 somewhat dated helicopters to Madagascar causes enough concern that Embassy should further encourage a careful review of any proposed sale by the export control authorities in the MFA. BUSH .