US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1252

S E C R E T PRAGUE 001252 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE, PM/RSAT FOR BOCKLAGE, INR/SPM FOR 
ZARZECKI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015 
TAGS: ETTC, EZ, KSTC, PARM, PREL, PK, VM 
SUBJECT: "DOWNGRADED VERA": LIKELY CZECH YES TO PAKISTAN, 
MFA SAYS NO TO VIETNAM 
 
REF: A. PRAGUE 1104 
     B. PRAGUE 1146 
 
Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney 
for reasons 1.4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (g) 
 
1. (S/NF) Summary: The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 
decided to formally oppose a sale of a passive surveillance 
system, model ASDD-01, to Vietnam. This move effectively 
blocks that deal for the immediate future. The GOCR is 
currently involved in a high-level debate on the merits of 
issuing a license for a one-year transfer of the same system 
to Pakistan. Septel will provide post suggestions for next 
steps. End summary. 
 
2. (S/NF) MFA licensing head Petr Kaiser told Pol-Mil Off Aug 
22nd that the MFA had decided to oppose the proposed sale of 
an ASDD-01 passive surveillance system to Vietnam. Under 
Czech licensing procedures this will effectively end the deal 
in its current form. 
 
3. (S/NF) On Aug 23rd MFA licensing officer Frantisek Gal 
told Pol-Mil Off that the proposed one-year marketing loan of 
an ASDD-01 to Pakistan was "no longer in MFA hands." Gal 
further reported that the MFA had insisted that 
nonproliferation measures be part of the Pakistan deal (Note: 
We have requested a list of the MFA-required nonproliferation 
measures and will report them septel). Under normal 
circumstances, MFA acquiescence would swiftly lead to 
licensing of the transfer. However National Security Advisor 
(equivalent) Miroslav Kostelka Aug 25 confided to Charge that 
the GOCR is involved in a high-level discussion on the merits 
of the ASDD-01 transfer to Pakistan. The GOCR was mindful of 
U.S. non-proliferation concerns but was also aware that the 
U.S. had taken the decision to sell F-16's to Pakistan. 
Kostelka noted possible ramifications for the Czech-Indian 
economic relationship could also be a significant factor. 
 
4. (S/NF) Post continues to engage on this topic and will 
build on our policy recommendations (Reftels) septel. 
MUNTER