Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA847
2009-09-16 08:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:  

AUSTRALIA CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF MTCR PLENARY

Tags:  ETTC PARM PREL KSCA 
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DE RUEHBY #0847 2590858
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P 160858Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2036
INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1091
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0502
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2129
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2382
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1577
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3682
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6662
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4927
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4916
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2024
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0402
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
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

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