MTCR POINT OF CONTACT MEETING FURTHERS U.S. PRIORITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000218 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/MTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2020 TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL MNUC KSCA TSPA ETTC FR SUBJECT: MTCR POINT OF CONTACT MEETING FURTHERS U.S. PRIORITIES REF: STATE 15382 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Kim Krhounek, Reasons 1.4 (b) , (d). ¶1. (SBU/NF) The following issues were discussed at the February 23 Point of Contact (POC) meeting co-hosted by the Brazilian Embassy in Paris and the French MFA, in its role as MTCR Point of Contact: ¶2. (C/REL MTCR) Brazilian Chair: Representing Brazil as current MTCR Chair, the Brazilian Embassy Political Minister-Counselor announced that Ambassador Lamaziere, Chairman at the November plenary in Rio de Janeiro, has been replaced by Minister Santiago Irazabal Mourao, Head of the Division of Disarmament and Sensitive Technologies at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, and will serve as MTCR Chair for the remainder of Brazil's mandate. The Brazilians distributed a letter from Ambassador Lamaziere explaining the change (NOTE: Post will send the letter electronically to ISN/MTR. END NOTE.). Because of this change, a paper that Brazil had planned to distribute at the POC describing GOB MTCR outreach activities has been delayed, although they expect it to be circulated via ePOC in the near future. ¶3. (C/REL MTCR) Intersessional Technical Experts Meeting (TEM): Aydalot announced, and the UK Embassy representative confirmed, that the UK plans to host an intersessional TEM on June 9-11, to allow TEM results to be reported at the RPOC and lowering travel costs for Partners attending both meetings (NOTE: an informational document provided at the POC meeting will be sent electronically to ISN/MTR. END NOTE). The agenda will include the three papers recommended at the plenary, with Partners to submit quickly any other proposals. Aydalot said it was unclear at the plenary whether the United States supported holding an intersessional TEM. However, the Embassy representative stressed U.S. support for the meeting. ¶4. (C/REL MTCR) Reinforced POC: Florent Aydalot, the French MFA's MTCR POC, confirmed that the 2010 Reinforced POC (RPOC) meeting will take place in Paris June 14-15. He reminded Partners that, although the 2010 RPOC meeting is being held later in the year than normal, Partners should start submitting proposals soon to allow sufficient time to prepare. ¶5. (C/NF) Outreach to Non-Partners: Aydalot confirmed that the Round Table for non-Partners will be held immediately after the RPOC in Paris, although the exact themes have not been finalized. The Greek Embassy representative asked whether all candidate countries could be invited to attend the Round Table, adding that while it was not necessary to invite all candidates to technical meetings, the general overview and outreach the Round Table is intended to provide would be useful for all candidates (NOTE: Cyprus is a candidate for MTCR membership, but has not been invited to the Round Table). The Turkish representative objected, saying that the plenary has already determined the list of invited countries, and that there was no reason for the POC to attempt to change this. Aydalot expressed agreement with this principle. ¶6. (C/REL MTCR) Next MTCR Plenary Chair/Host: Aydalot confirmed that no Partner had yet volunteered to host the 2010 MTCR plenary. Reminding representatives of the need to find a candidate very soon, Aydalot requested that this message be stressed to capitals. ¶7. (C/REL MTCR) Next Information Exchange (IE) Co-Chair: Aydalot announced, and the Netherlands Embassy representative confirmed, that the Netherlands has volunteered to take over the IE co-chair position from the UK. ¶8. (C/REL MTCR) Other Issues: Aydalot announced that the upgraded ePOC system should be ready by April. He said the French POC would select "testers" from Partner countries to evaluate the new system before it is fully implemented. The Canadian Embassy representative mentioned that Canada had circulated a document at the Rio de Janeiro plenary meant for inclusion on the public MTCR website to provide general information. She said that Canada had not received comments on this document, and planned to post it on the website unless Partners had any objections. Aydalot added that ePOC document 266 was also a useful general-information document to make public, and asked for comments or objections from Partners by March 15, adding that the French POC had received some comments had been received already. Finally, the UK Embassy representative said HMG urged the French POC to hold POC meetings more regularly in order to maintain attention on missile technology proliferation issues. PEKALA