Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRAGUE622
2009-10-20 15:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECH MOD ASKS ABOUT SUPERSONICS, C-130, AND L-159

Tags:  MASS PGOV PREL EZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHPG #0622 2931559
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R 201559Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1843
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000622 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014
TAGS: MASS PGOV PREL EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH MOD ASKS ABOUT SUPERSONICS, C-130, AND L-159

Classified By: Charge Mary Thompson-Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000622

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014
TAGS: MASS PGOV PREL EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH MOD ASKS ABOUT SUPERSONICS, C-130, AND L-159

Classified By: Charge Mary Thompson-Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) On October 20, 2009, Deputy Minister of Defense for
Foreign Affairs Jan Fulik requested a meeting with the Charge
d'Affaires. Fulik will represent the MoD during Prime
Minister Fischer's meeting with Vice President Biden on
October 23, because Minister Bartak will be in Bratislava for
the NATO defense ministerial. Fulik,s first and foremost
concern was to confirm whether there is any substance to
speculation in the local media about the Vice President,s
intent to raise the issue of supersonic fighter acquisition
during his visit. He simply wanted to "avoid surprises" and
ensure that the Prime Minister is fully briefed. After
explaining the Embassy,s role in the interagency process of
formulating the agenda for a high-level visit, we assured
Fulik that supersonic fighters were not likely to be a
subject for discussion.

2. (C) Fulik's two additional points were also related to
aircraft sales: obtaining C-130s from the U.S. and selling
L-159s to Afghanistan. In the first instance, Fulik
reiterated the MoD's unofficially stated position that the
USD 111 million price tag for excess defense article C-130s
is too high, and he expressed the hope that the USG will
reduce the price. In response, we are reminding the Czechs
that they must formally decline the pricing and availability
offer currently on the table. Fulik went on to claim that
Lockheed has offered the MoD one C-130J "for free," along
with a second C-130J at a "favorable price," though he
emphasized that the Czechs are not interested in a deal
outside the framework of government-to-government sales.
(Note: DATT spoke to the local Lockheed rep, and he said
this is related to a 2008 meeting between former USDP Edelman
and then-First Deputy Minister of Defense Bartak. Bartak
supposedly asked at the time whether the USG could purchase a
second C-130J for the Czechs if they purchased the first one
on their own from Lockheed. End Note.)

3. (C) Finally, Fulik communicated the MoD's eagerness to
know where things stand with the potential sale of the L-159
to the Afghan Air Force, highlighting the Czechs' commitment
to following the U.S. lead in this matter rather than taking
a direct approach with the Afghans and potentially annoying
Washington in the process. Post is obtaining a point of
contact within DoD with whom the Czechs can learn more about
the progress of the ongoing evaluation of their offer.
Thompson-Jones