U.S. EMBASSY DOHA COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000523 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2019 TAGS: PREL QA SUBJECT: U.S. EMBASSY DOHA COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVAL TO PROVIDE HAZARD PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY (HPAC) SOFTWARE AND UNCLASSIFIED WEATHER INTERFACE TO QATARI ARMED FORCES CHEMICAL UNIT. Classified By: AMB Joseph LeBaron, reasons 1.4(A),(B),AND (D). 1.(U) Summary: The Qatar Armed Forces Chemical Unit wants to obtain the HPAC software which provides the means to accurately predict the effects of hazardous material released into the atmosphere and its impact on civilian and military populations. The system uses integrated source terms, high-resolution weather forecasts and atmospheric transport & dispersion analyses to model hazard areas produced by military or terrorist incidents and industrial accidents. The Qatar Armed Forces Chemical Unit will also require access to ESRI ArcView products (provides mapping data). 2.(U) The following country team assessment is provided in support of the QAF Chemical Unit request. 3.(C) The reason Qatar desires the HPAC software is to protect civilians from the effects of hazardous material released into the atmosphere by military or terrorist incidents and industrial accidents. 4.(C) The effect of the HPAC software on Qatar,s Force Structure will be negligible. The Chemical Unit would integrate the software into the hazard model already being produced by mechanical means. 5.(C) The HPAC software will contribute to the U.S. and Qatar Defense/Security goals. Authorizing the distribution of the software will support several USG regional strategic objectives.. -- Deter and defeat adversaries -- Assure regional access -- Strengthen regional stability -- Build self-reliance of partner nation security forces 6.(C) Protect vital interests of the U.S. within the area of responsibility. Ultimately, sale of this software will help strengthen U.S. efforts to promote regional stability by enhancing regional defense to a key U.S. ally. The acquisition OF the HPAC software will provide the Qatar Armed Forces Chemical Unit a quick method of determining areas at risk from the release hazardous material. Distribution of this software will enhance a nascent U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The strengthening of the program contributes to future acquisitions of integratable U.S. systems that will enhance regional security. 7.(C) Justification for the type and quantity of articles or services requested: Qatar seeks to enhance their ability to rapidly predict populations and areas at risk in the event of a hazardous materials release. 8.(C) Anticipated reactions of neighboring nations: The expectation is that neighboring countries will have no particular reaction to the release of the HPAC software and none are expected to raise objections. Many of Qatar's neighbors are acquiring or have acquired similar systems. 9.(C) Assessment of Qatar's ability to account for, safeguard, operate, maintain, and support the articles: QAF has limited capability and principles to maintain accountability of the HPAC software. QAF understands the need and capability to safeguard the HPAC software. Although basic legislation exists, Qatar's policies and systems for export control are limited. The Ministry Of Economy and Commerce is responsible for developing legislation for and supervising the nation's trade system; however, measures generally do not extend beyond economically focused agreements, including standards established by the World Trade Organization and Gulf Cooperation Council. The software includes the capability to interface with weather products via an account with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Qatar will need to set up an account for this capability. 10.(C) Training required either in-country or in the United States and the anticipated reactions resulting from the presence of U.S. trainers in-country: QAF Chemical Unit will require access to web based training from the DTRA website. Educational courses and training exercises are routinely conducted between QAF and U.S. military. Qatar maintains a robust U.S. military and defense contractor presence; no adverse reaction to U.S. trainers in Qatar is anticipated. 11.(C) Possible impact of any in-country U.S. presence that might be required as a result of providing the article: there will be no impact in-country. If QAF is not allowed to obtain the use of HPAC software it will have a negative impact on interoperability with U.S. and coalition/regional forces, our security assistance portfolio, and future U.S. defense product acquisition. 12.(C) Source of financing and the economic impact of the proposed acquisition: The HPAC software is available at no cost. Approval and expeditious handling of this request will lead to future U.S. economic benefits. 13.(C) Human rights considerations relevant to the proposed acquisition: There are no human rights considerations relevant to the acquisition of the HPAC software. 14.(C) A plan for end-use monitoring for sensitive and advanced warfighting technology and the SAO's plan for compliance verification: QAF will require education on end-use monitoring program, as applicable. QAF will comply with end-use monitoring as outlined in chapter 8, DOD 5105-38-M, Security Assistance Management Manual, 3 October 2003, as necessary. OMC Qatar will fulfill its responsibility and ensure compliance with end-use monitoring requirements under the Golden Sentry program by conducting periodic accountability inventories and monitoring operational use and control during day-to-day military-to-military contact, when required. 15.(C) Recommendation whether the USG should approve transfer of the classified data and justification: Currently Qatar has no ability to connect to a classified network which would enable them access to the classified weather data. Amembassy Doha Country Team recommends approval for the distribution of the HPAC software and ESRI ArcView products to Qatar. This assessment has been fully coordinated with Amembassy Doha Country Team. 16.(C) Distribution of the HPAC software and ESRI ArcView products is in the best interests of both nations economically, militarily and politically. Nantongo