REQUEST FOR PM ATTENDANCE AT SYDNEY MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000035 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM DAS RUGGIERO E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019 TAGS: MASS PREL AS SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PM ATTENDANCE AT SYDNEY MEETING Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel A. Clune for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Embassy requests PM/RSAT participation in the March 16-17 meeting of the Australia - U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) Defence Acquisition Committee/Acquisition, Technology and Development Working Group (ADAC/ATDWG) in Sydney. End Summary and Action Request. ¶2. (U) Key items on the 2009 agenda include updates on the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT) implementation, progress on Technology Transfer and Procurement Improvement Initiatives, and consideration of initiatives for Australian Department of Defence (ADOD) disposal of a significant stockpile of U.S. origin military equipment. The ADOD is in the process of replacing 80 percent of its entire inventory over the next five years. This volume increase will impact disposal and approval processes at both ADOD and DOS. Representatives involved in the ongoing application of export control issues from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and ADOD will attend the meeting. Because PM/RSAT has the requisite expertise and USG interagency lead on policy and operational aspects of export control issues and regulations and DCTC implementation, Post believes it is imperative that PM/RSAT participate in this meeting at the highest appropriate level. ¶3. (U) As the Department may be aware, ADAC was established as a directive of the 1998 AUSMIN specifically to coordinate and promote cooperation in equipment acquisition, technology and support. The ATDWG was later convened to address relevant working level issues among representatives from several U.S. and ADOD divisions and agencies, and PM/RSAT. As the delegated authority for the administration of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Post believes PM/RSAT would be able to contribute special expertise on export controls and policies to the ATDWG, including discussion on PM/RSAT's draft blanket disposal agreement. Export controls and regulations shape and affect much of Australia's defense acquisition and development cooperation with the U.S. and PM/RSAT's contributions are beneficial to ATDWG activities. ATDWG is unique among current defense cooperation fora in both the detailed nature of the discussions and the expertise of the working group participants. Through past meetings, ATDWG has driven successful evolution and resolution of a variety of bilateral defense cooperation issues. ¶4. (U) The U.S. and Australia currently hold four other sub-Ministerial bilateral defense fora. Three of these focus on issues at a strategic level: annual Pol-Mil Talks, annual MilReps Talks, and annual Defense Policy Talks. A fourth forum was created in 2008 to discuss Defense Cooperation Treaty management issues. The ATDWG remains unique in the breadth and depth of participants involved in defense acquisition, export controls and technology development. PM/RSAT brings unique expertise in defense export controls and policy to these discussions. ¶5. (C/NF) Comment: There is concern within ADOD that the existing channels do not afford enough interchange between the policy and operational levels. We believe PM/RSAT participation in this meeting will go a long way to assuaging concerns and strengthening working relationships. If PM PDAS or Director attend, Post can also arrange a productive series of meetings outside the formal working group, including discussions with the ADOD Disposal Agency and meetings with ADOD and DFAT personnel involved in U.S. - Australia regional security initiatives. End comment. MCCALLUM QMCCALLUM