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