AUSTRALIA CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF MTCR PLENARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000847 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MTR, EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2019 TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSCA SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF MTCR PLENARY PROPOSALS REF: SECSTATE 90236 Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1. 4 (b,d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C/NF) ) Australia agrees in principle with the four U.S. proposals (reftel) for the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) plenary, but has unsure about implementation. Australia is concerned that the Reinforced Point of Contact Meetings (RPOC) are under strain and appears reluctant to add much more to the agenda. End Summary. ¶2. (C/NF) Gerry McGuire, Director of the Counter-Proliferation Section of the Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade presented us September 11 with the GOA response on the USG Proposals for the MTCR Plenary. He said Australia's responses reflect the views of the outgoing Australian chair of the MTCR, John Quinn. According to McGuire: -- Australia believes that there is value in having the IE-TEM Working Group follow-up on partner papers and proposals concerning emerging technologies. However, the GOA believes that Brazil, as incoming chair, should endorse small group initiatives. Resource constraints would probably preclude the participation of Australian experts. -- Australia agrees on the utility of developing a paper on the Global Missile Threat for use in outreach activities. McGuire said the GOA would likely suggest that the paper identify challenges and focus on countries of concern. The starter text is fine, but the GOA will not take the lead in the drafting. -- Australia believes a round table for non-partners is a worthy idea worth taking up after non-partners fully accept the Technical Outreach Meeting (TOM). The GOA believes there may to be too much going on the periphery of the Reinforced Point of Contact (RPOC) meetings. China was quite pleased with the TOM and solidifying that positive attitude is very important before anything else is added, McGuire noted. Lastly, a third peripheral event at the RPOC is something that the French may find a logistical headache. -- The GOA agrees with all six steps in the fourth proposal for addressing nonproliferation. McGuire stated that if they were implemented, they would greatly strengthen existing regulations. ¶3. (C/NF) McGuire repeatedly referred to the Russian position that particular countries should not be mentioned in MTCR papers and resolutions as a problem. In McGuire's view, the Russian delegate, Mashkov, hates outreach and to get even small outreach projects endorsed will be difficult. McGuire also noted the refusal of Turkey to allow Cyprus to attend and the subsequent refusal of other EU countries to attend these outreach efforts. The GOA also appears concerned that the capacity of the RPOC is already under strain and may be hesitant to add more to the agenda. CLUNE