FOLLOWING UP WITH UKRAINE ON EFFORTS BY UKRAINIAN

S E C R E T STATE 077663

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL MNUC ETTC KSCA UP CH
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP WITH UKRAINE ON EFFORTS BY UKRAINIAN
FIRM TO EXPORT GYROTHEODOLITES TO CHINESE ENTITIES (S)

REF: A. 07 STATE 161304

B. 07 KYIV 2928

C. 08 KYIV 706

D. 08 STATE 111716

E. 08 STATE 126516

F. KYIV 108

G. STATE 7146

H. KYIV 314

Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASON 1.4 (C).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Kyiv, please see
paragraph 3.


2. (S) Background: On many occasions since November 2007,
the U.S. has provided Ukrainian officials with information
regarding efforts by Ukrainian firm Arsenal Design Bureau to
export gyrotheodolites to entities associated with China's
Sanjiang Space Group (CSSG)(REFS A-F). CSSG produces short-
range ballistic missile systems that exceed Missile
Technology
Control Regime (MTCR) Category I range and payload
thresholds.
Ukrainian officials have consistently denied that Arsenal is
engaged in such efforts, despite new information we shared
with them in January 2009 indicating that a delegation from
Arsenal visited China to finalize details for a
gyrotheodolite
export (REF G). We most recently raised this case with the
GOU in February 2009, but have not yet received a response
from Ukraine (REF H). We therefore want to follow-up with
Ukrainian authorities and request an update on the status of
their investigation into this case no later than the upcoming
Nonproliferation Working Group meeting in September.


3. (S) Action Request: Request Embassy Kyiv follow-up with
appropriate host government authorities to request an update
on the GOU's investigation of this case no later than the
upcoming Nonproliferation Working Group meeting in September
and report response.


4. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR Mike Kennedy (Phone: 202-
647-3176). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR and EUR/PRA.
CLINTON