40TH JPMG: INTERNATIONAL, EXPORT CONTROL AND JSAP

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 002503 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER CH IR RU IS SUBJECT: 40TH JPMG: INTERNATIONAL, EXPORT CONTROL AND JSAP DISCUSSION (PART 4 OF 4) Classified By: A/DCM Marc Sievers, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (S) Summary: As part of the 40th Joint Political Military Group, U.S. and Israeli interlocutors discussed Russia, Afghanistan/Pakistan, and East Asia, focusing specifically on China. On Russia, both U.S. and GOI officials stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced relationship with Moscow vis-a-vis Georgia. GOI officials questioned whether Russia could be relied upon in any effort to toughen sanctions against Iran. Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro briefed on U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the United States' long-term commitment to the region. Both sides discussed the prospects of Beijing joining any effort to strengthen sanctions against Iran, especially given China's energy resource needs. Israeli interlocutors reiterated the GOI's commitment to its statement of understanding (SOU) with the United States on arms transfers to China. However, they noted that the GOI's relationship with Beijing has suffered as a result, and have requested further U.S. guidance on an acceptable level of GOI engagement with China regarding military and dual-use cooperation. U.S. and Israeli interlocutors also discussed the GOI's defense export control system. A/S Shapiro and MOD Director General Pinchas Buchris exchanged Joint Security Assistance Planning (JSAP) letters confirming understandings reached between Israel and the United States on FY 2011 foreign military assistance levels to close the JPMG. This is the last of four cables (septels) reporting on the JPMG. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Main Israeli Participants: -- Brigadier General (res) Pinchas Buchris, MOD Director General -- Major General (ret) Amos Gilad, MOD Political-Military Chief -- Brigadier General Ronen Dan, acting Israeli Defense Attache to the United States -- Gad Dovev, Director, MOD Mission, New York -- Alon Bar, MFA Deputy Director General for Strategic Affairs -- Amir Kain, Director, MOD Directorate of Security Defense Establishment (MALMAB) -- Eli Pincu, MOD Director of Export Control -- COL Shimon Arad, IDF J5 -- Rami Yungman, MOD Political-Military Bureau -- Stefan Deutsch, Director, Technology Relations, MOD Research and Development Directorate (MAFAT) -- Schmuel Royter, Assistant to the MOD Director General Main U.S. Participants: -- Andrew Shapiro, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs -- James Hursch, Director, DTSA -- Dr. Colin Kahl, International Security Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense -- Brigadier General Jefforey Smith, Joint Staff -- Beth McCormick, Deputy Director, DSCA -- Prem Kumar, Director for Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian Affairs, NSC -- Tom Goldberger, Director for Israel and Palestinian Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs -- COL Richard Burgess, Defense Attache, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv -- Robert Maggi, PM Coordinator for Counter Piracy -- Kevin Maloney, Licensing Director, PM/DTCL Russia/Georgia -------------- ¶3. (S) A/S Shapiro provided an overview of the current state of U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Georgia relations. He noted Secretary Clinton's recent trip to Moscow focused on nonproliferation, missile defense, and cooperation regarding Iran. Following the Russia-Georgia conflict, A/S Shapiro said that the United States is handling assistance and training to Georgia with care to ensure avoidance of unintended consequences. With respect to Russia's cooperation on Iran, A/S Shapiro pointed to the importance of creating a record of engagement with Iran, which we can use to generate international support -- including from Moscow -- if/when further sanctions are necessary. He noted that Russia is reluctant to "play bad cop" in public regarding Iran, but also repeated Russian President Medvedev's statement that sanctions might be necessary at some point. TEL AVIV 00002503 002 OF 004 ¶4. (S) MOD Political-Military Chief Amos Gilad said Georgia "used to be a rich country" with abundant natural resources -- "unfortunately, wisdom was not one of those resources." He said Georgian President Saakashvili instigated the conflict with Russia, forgetting that he was the leader of "only four million people, not 400 (million)." Gilad said potential Russian arms exports -- including especially the S-300 -- to the region have the potential to damage Israel's military edge; as such, it was prudent to remain on good terms with Moscow by limiting Israeli arms exports and training to Georgia. He added that Israel has a great deal of sympathy for the Georgian people -- but ultimately, it was a question of policy. MFA Director for Export Controls Roey Gilad asked about U.S. strategy following the Strategic Agreement with Georgia. A/S Shapiro said he had not yet seen a read-out from ASD Vershbow regarding the agreement, but reiterated the importance of striking a balance in our relations so that Georgia is neither encouraged to pursue reckless behavior or abandoned in the face of Russian intimidation. ¶5. (S) Amos Gilad said Moscow remains very concerned about NATO expansion, including especially Ukraine for cultural and historical reasons. He outlined intensive Israeli consultations across the Russian interagency, and commented that Moscow is categorically against a nuclear-armed Iran. That said, Gilad argued that Russian intelligence is not as good as one might think, as Moscow does not appear convinced that Iran can develop the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. Gilad suggested that Russian intelligence services were also blind regarding North Korea. He summed up by stating that Moscow remains focused on Iran's nuclear program, although he was not convinced that the United States could rely on them to join in on strengthened sanctions. Afghanistan/Pakistan -------------- ¶6. (S) A/S Shapiro provided an overview of U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He noted that the threat of extremism is a single challenge that spans both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and pointed to the news of upcoming run-off elections in Afghanistan and the U.S. policy review as critical events. A/S Shapiro recited that the USG goal was to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, and deprive it of any safe havens. The ability to provide civilian security also is crucial, including the development of the economy and rule of law. He stressed the importance of building trust and confidence -- and convincing the Afghan people that we are committed in the long-term to Afghanistan's future. A/S Shapiro noted progress with Pakistan, which has been more willing to combat extremism in Swat and South Waziristan. He cited the importance of providing relief to refugees from these conflicted areas. ¶7. (S) DASD Kahl referenced military-to-military discussions and lessons learned, including whether lessons from Iraq might be applied to the situation in Afghanistan. He noted, however, that the fight in Afghanistan is very different than Iraq, as the United States faces a rural insurgency and shadow government coupled with an extremely poor population in Afghanistan. Kahl also noted Afghanistan's expansive territory and issues with cross-border sanctuaries, and highlighted the corrupt Karzai government's legitimacy vis-a-vis the Taliban's shadow government. He stressed the importance of addressing Afghanistan and Pakistan together, and noted that India also plays an important role in any solution. ¶8. (S) Gilad asked if there was political support for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. A/S Shapiro replied that the United States remains committed to Afghanistan; the current domestic debate is over the level of this commitment -- and not whether to stay or withdraw. Gilad inquired about the India-Pakistan relationship; A/S Shapiro noted efforts to convince Pakistan that extremists pose more of a threat to its security than does India. Kahl compared the Pakistani military's institutional thinking on India to that of Egypt, which still trains its military for a conflict with Israel. He described Pakistan's relationship with the Taliban as a potential hedge against India in order to prevent encirclement. TEL AVIV 00002503 003 OF 004 China/East Asia -------------- ¶9. (S) A/S Shapiro described the U.S.-China military-to-military relationship as progressing, albeit in "fits and starts." He noted the United States was committed to Taiwan's security, and that the Taiwan Relations Act legally obligates the United States to help provide for Taiwan's security. It is important to strengthen the U.S.-China military relationship so that military cooperation does not suffer following arms transfers to Taiwan, he said. A/S Shapiro that the Bush Administration's Strategic Economic Dialogue with China has now evolved into a Strategic AND Economic Dialogue co-led by the Departments of State and Treasury, and also cited promising Chinese participation in anti-piracy efforts. On the other hand, China can do more to implement effective export controls in order to prevent Chinese entities from assisting WMD programs of concern. He stressed the importance of Chinese participation in the Six-Party Talks with North Korea, and implementation of UNSC resolution 1874. ¶10. (S) Gilad noted that the United States needs China for further sanctions on Iran. He said China's relationship with Iran is tied to resource needs -- but China seeks to avoid being isolated on Iran, and therefore needs Russia to legitimize its policy. DASD Kahl said China prefers the status quo, i.e., Iran does not currently possess a nuclear weapon and China continues to benefit from its energy relationship with Iran. He agreed that China is seeking to avoid isolation on the sanctions issue. But on the other hand, he argued, China does not want diplomacy to fail catastrophically, and would most certainly prefer sanctions over a conflict. MOD Director General Pinchas Buchris asked if other countries might be encouraged to sell oil to China to decrease its energy dependency on Iran; DASD Kahl replied such an arrangement might have a mitigating role in persuading China to join in on tougher sanctions for Iran. ¶11. (S) Buchris described the Israel-China relationship as "almost zero," and stated Israel will likely need to renew the relationship. IDF J5 COL Arad expressed concerns over the proliferation of Chinese weapons into Lebanon and Gaza. Gilad stressed that Israel remains committed to U.S. national security interests, but suggested U.S. concerns regarding Israel's relationship with China are "exaggerated." He said Israel can no longer ignore its relationship with China, which could cause Israel considerable harm through Iran and Syria. ¶12. (S) Buchris reiterated that Israel is fully committed to its obligations under the statement of understanding (SOU) with the United States, but would appreciate guidance from the United States regarding what is acceptable engagement with China on both military and dual-use cooperation. MFA Export Control Director Roey Gilad also inquired whether Israel might be eligible to participate in a validated end-user program with Chinese companies. A/S Shapiro noted the very sensitive nature of the request; DASD Kahl suggested that further discussion between U.S. technical and subject matter experts is warranted. A/S Shapiro agreed to take the GOI request on board with the hope of providing further guidance for the initial meeting of the QME policy/intel sub-group. Export Controls -------------- ¶13. (S) MOD Director for Export Controls Eli Pincu briefly presented on the Israel defense export control system. He highlighted the registration and licensing process, and said the GOI expects over 1,000 Israeli companies to participate in this year's annual defense export control conference -- up from 700 last year. A/S Shapiro noted that the GOI has made progress with its defense export control system, and outlined plans for our export control reform initiative. DTSA Director James Hursch and DSCA Deputy Director Beth McCormick commended Pincu's hard work, and wished him luck in his new assignment in Berlin. McCormick noted the effective GOI interagency process regarding defense export controls, a strong partnership with Israeli industry, and a timely decision-making process. In response to a question from PM/DTCL Licensing Director Kevin Maloney, Pincu said the Defense Export Control Directorate would soon obtain TEL AVIV 00002503 004 OF 004 additional personnel. JSAP -------------- ¶14. (S) The IDF presented several briefs on its force structure and sustainability, budget, and an update on U.S.-Israel military cooperation, the Military-to-Military meeting, and missile defense exercise Juniper Cobra (JC10). A/S Shapiro and Buchris exchanged Joint Security Assistance Planning (JSAP) letters confirming understandings reached between Israel and the United States on FY 2011 foreign military assistance levels and other related subjects. ¶15. (U) A/S Shapiro has cleared this cable. CUNNINGHAM