US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE318

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000318 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2015 
TAGS: PARM, AF, IR, EZ 
SUBJECT: CZECH GOVERNMENT SOLICITS US OPINION ON ARMS SALES 
TO AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ 
 
REF: PRAGUE 260 
 
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Mark Canning for reasons 1.4 
(a) (b) (c). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY.   THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. The Czech 
Republic has extensive surpluses of arms and ammunition left 
over from the days of the Warsaw Pact.  Licensing authorities 
at the MFA are recieving many requests from Czech arms 
dealers to sell the surplus munitions to the governments in 
Afghanistan and Iraq.  While the MFA is considering approval 
of such sales, it has asked the Embassy whether the U.S. has 
any objections; the Czechs admit they are not nearly as well 
equipped as the USG to assess the situation in these two 
countries.  Two requests, reftel, are pending for 
Afghanistan.  A new request has just been received for Iraq. 
If the U.S. has any objections to these proposed sales, post 
would appreciate a timely response, in order, if necessary, 
to block the sales before they are approved.  END SUMMARY 
 
2. (C) Reftel, sent February 23, describes two license 
applications to sell roughly 1000 handguns to the Afghan 
Ministry of the Interior and 1 million rounds of ammunition 
to the Afghan Ministry of Defense.  Since the Czech Republic 
has no diplomatic mission in Afghanistan,  the MFA asked 
whether the U.S. had any information that would lead them to 
refuse the applications. The period during which the MFA can 
consider the license applications will expire March 10.  The 
MFA could request a 30-day extension to continue gathering 
information relevant to the license application.  However, 
poloff was told that the MFA is inclined to grant the 
applications rather than request an extension, unless we 
raise significant objections. 
 
3. (C) At a meeting on March 3, the MFA informed us of a new 
request which they are anticipating, but have not yet 
formally received.  The request is to sell 21 million rounds 
of ammunition, to the Iraqi MOD.  This transaction would be 
handled by a bank in Lebanon. The ammunition itself would 
also be shipped via Lebanon.  The MFA is uncomfortable with 
these aspects of the transaction. More details will be shared 
when they become available in the formal license application. 
The MFA would appreciate USG views on the sale. 
 
4. (U)  Post appreciates the caution shown by the MFA and its 
willingness to consult with us. The surplus munitions are 
likely to last for years and years.  Petr Kaizer, the head of 
the MFA's licensing office called the surplus, "a nightmare." 
 Post feels there is considerable value in the consultations 
the MFA are offering. We look forward to a timely response 
from Washington.  Minimize considered. 
HILLAS