US embassy cable - 05ALGIERS2230

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 002230 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015 
TAGS: ETTC, KOMC, MASS, AG, Blue Lantern 
SUBJECT: BRIEF DISCUSSION OF BLUE LANTERN WITH SENIOR 
MILITARY 
 
REF: ALGIERS 2058 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman for reasons 1.4 (b) (d) 
 
REF:  Algiers 
 
1. (C) At President Bouteflika's annual November 1 reception 
commemorating the declaration of the War of Liberation, 
Ambassador had an opportunity to raise the Blue Lantern issue 
with both Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gait-Salah and Ministry 
of Defense Secretary General Senhadji.  With both, Ambassador 
expressed concern that this issue, though relatively minor 
and technical in nature, could have concrete and serious 
consequences for our military cooperation if left unresolved. 
 Ambassador noted that we had been obliged to suspend 
licensing action on current and potential contracts and this 
was good for neither Algeria nor the United States. 
Precisely because what we were asking was so non-obtrusive -- 
essentially a letter confirming receipt of the equipment in 
question -- we were frankly perplexed.  We had a legal 
obligation to protect sensitive U.S. technology and in this 
case what we were asking of Algeria was nothing more than we 
routinely asked even our closest allies like the United 
Kingdom.  We were especially perplexed because up until a 
year ago Algeria had cooperated with the Blue Lantern 
program. 
 
2. (C) Gaid-Salah commented that the Algerian military staff 
had given the green light to begin discussions of our next 
joint military exercises in February, but made no comment on 
Blue Lantern beyond saying the issue was discussed. 
Senhadji, with whom Ambassador had a longer conversation, 
noted that Algerian Ambassador Kherbi had just met with A/S 
Rodman on this and other issues.  He confirmed the issue was 
under discussion but seemed to downplay it, noting it was a 
"minor" issue that would hopefully be resolved.  Ambassador 
agreed it was a relatively minor issue but said it was 
increasingly urgent and would have substantial, concrete 
consequences for our cooperation if it was not resolved. 
Specifically, it would impact on our ability to provide or 
approve avionics upgrades for Algeria's C-130s.  Without 
these upgrades, these planes would not meet new aviation 
standards taking effect in 2007 and thus, would no longer be 
able to fly in European air space.  Similarly, Spain would 
not be able to deliver the CASA planes Algeria had purchased 
because of sensitive U.S. technological components.  Finally, 
there was no way we would be able to proceed with more 
sophisticated sales like the Chinook if Algeria was not able 
to cooperate with even the minimal request we had made. 
 
3. (C) Ambassador said we have repeatedly raised our Blue 
Lantern concerns over the past several months precisely 
because we wanted to avoid a situation where matters came to 
a head and we had to suspend action on licensing requests. 
The current suspension was not a matter of our trying to 
pressure Algeria but was a reflection of our legal obligation 
to protect sensitive U.S. technologies.  In response to 
Ambassador's remark that Algeria had previously cooperated on 
Blue Lantern, Senhadji claimed they had done so on only one 
case.  Ambassador said that was not his information and that 
he would double-check. (Comment:  Embassy staff believes that 
since the program started in 2001, there have been four such 
Blue Lantern requests in which Algeria cooperated.) 
 
4. (C) Ambassador said he has requested a meeting with MOD 
Minister-Delegate Guenaizia.  Given the potentially serious 
consequences of not resolving this minor issue, Ambassador 
said he had a responsibility to ensure directly that there 
was no misunderstanding at senior levels about the situation 
and implications for our military cooperation.  Ambassador 
noted that he had been among those supporting expanded 
U.S.-Algerian military cooperation, and thus was especially 
disappointed Algeria had not been able to cooperate with this 
very minor request.  Senhadji claimed the MOD appreciated 
Ambassador's strong support for moving in this direction and 
closed the conversation hoping the issue could be resolved. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT:  On November 6 Ambassador is hosting 
departing Presidential Chief of Staff Belkheir at a 
one-on-one lunch prior to his departure later in the week for 
Rabat, where he will take up his duties as Algeria's new 
ambassador.  Ambassador intends to brief Belkheir in detail 
on the Blue Lantern issue, in hopes that he will weigh in 
with his colleagues in order to help put this problem behind 
us. 
ERDMAN