MTCR: ARGENTINE SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SLV)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 001759


BUENOS AIRES FOR EST

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2009
TAGS: MTCRE KSCA PARM PREL MNUC ETTC TSPA AR

SUBJECT: MTCR: ARGENTINE SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SLV)
PROGRAM

REF: 08 BUENOS AIRES 1282 (AND PREVIOUS)

Classified By: ISN/MTR Director Pam Durham.
Reason: 1.5 (B),(D).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Buenos Aires,
please see paragraph 4.


2. (C) BACKGROUND: Per REF A, the United States and the
government of Argentina (GOA) have agreed that Argentina will
provide a one-time "state of play" briefing in Washington,
D.C., in January-February 2009, on the status of Argentina's
space launch vehicle (SLV) program. This briefing is to be
followed by an expert level meeting in Buenos Aires sometime
in the May-July 2009 timeframe, with subsequent expert-level
meetings occurring approximately every six months thereafter,
alternately in Washington, D.C. and Buenos Aires. In
addition, the GOA has agreed to inform - possibly via a short
information paper - the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR) and the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic
Missile Proliferation (HCOC) countries of the status of
Argentina's SLV program.


3. (C) PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: In furtherance of the GOA's
agreement to provide a one-time "state of play" briefing for
U.S. officials, on the status of Argentina's SLV program, the
U.S. would like to invite Argentine National Commission on
Aerospace Activities (CONAE) Director Dr. Conrado Varotto and
other appropriate Argentine officials to Washington for such
a meeting. We anticipate that these discussions will last no
more than one half day and propose they take place on either
Thursday, February 19 or Friday, February 20.


4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Request Embassy Buenos Aires
convey, to CONAE Director Varotto and other appropriate
Argentine officials, U.S. interest in receiving a one-time
"state of play" briefing on Argentina's SLV program, as
agreed in REF A. Also request post ascertain whether GOA
officials are available to meet in Washington, D.C. for this
purpose on either February 19 or February 20, and whether
they prefer meetings beginning at 9:30 am or at 2:00 pm. As
a fallback, post may propose Friday, February 27 for the
briefing. If none of these dates are good for the GOA, post
should urge Argentine officials to propose alternate dates,
including in March. NOTE: U.S. officials are not available
to meet with Argentine officials the week of February 9. END
NOTE. Once we have agreed on a date for the briefing, we
will provide the GOA with a list of U.S. participants and
coordinate on logistics.


5. (U) Washington POCs are ISN/MTR Director Pam Durham
(Phone: 202-647-4931) and ISN/MTR Tony Tunyavongs (Phone:
202-736-7716). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR and WHA/BSC.
RICE


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