MTCR CHAIR COMMENTS ON INFORMAL BRAINSTORMING SESSION

CONFIDENTIAL,NOFORN C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000187 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019 TAGS: MTCRE, PARM, MNUC, KSCA, TSPA, ETTC, AS SUBJECT: MTCR CHAIR COMMENTS ON INFORMAL BRAINSTORMING SESSION REF: 09 STATE 17183 Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b)(d) 1. (C/NF) John Quinn, the Australian Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Chair, expressed appreciation for USG input to the informal brainstorming session planned following the Reinforced Point of Contact (RPOC) meeting in Paris on April 29-30, 2009 (reftel). Quinn observed that while the Russian delegation proposed the meeting at the November MTCR Plenary in Canberra, they have not yet provided any input to how to frame the meeting. He also shared that the UK is considering issuing some discussion papers for the meeting. 2. (C/NF) Quinn informed Poloff that he was approached by Greece questioning why invitees to the technical outreach planned following the Paris RPOC do not include all aspirants to MTCR. Quinn reminded the Greek interlocutors that Turkey had blocked the initiative at the Plenary to avoid including Cyprus. He expressed frustration over the inefficiency of excluding some aspirants and indicated he expects the Turks to raise it again. Quinn advised that he is seeking ideas to expand the outreach effort outside those countries included in the invitation, possibility by issuing technical documents to aspirant countries not included or through a speaking engagement to them organized through the European Union. 3. (C/NF) Quinn shared Australia's outreach efforts and advised it has scheduled programs in Indonesia the week of March 16. Quinn is hoping to add Malaysia as a second stop of the trip, with a final stop confirmed in Singapore. He also advised Australia has approached Pakistan, India and China for outreach during the first half of 2009 and is waiting their responses. CLUNE