VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBY #0035 0120547
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 120547Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0808

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PM DAS RUGGIERO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019 
TAGS: MASS PREL AS
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PM ATTENDANCE AT SYDNEY MEETING 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel A. Clune for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST:  Embassy requests PM/RSAT 
participation in the March 16-17 meeting of the Australia - 
U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) Defence Acquisition 
Committee/Acquisition, Technology and Development Working 
Group (ADAC/ATDWG) in Sydney.  End Summary and Action Request. 
 
¶2.  (U) Key items on the 2009 agenda include updates on the 
Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT) implementation, 
progress on Technology Transfer and Procurement Improvement 
Initiatives, and consideration of initiatives for Australian 
Department of Defence (ADOD) disposal of a significant 
stockpile of U.S. origin military equipment.  The ADOD is in 
the process of replacing 80 percent of its entire inventory 
over the next five years.  This volume increase will impact 
disposal and approval processes at both ADOD and DOS. 
Representatives involved in the ongoing application of export 
control issues from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, the 
Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and ADOD will attend 
the meeting.  Because PM/RSAT has the requisite expertise and 
USG interagency lead on policy and operational aspects of 
export control issues and regulations and DCTC 
implementation, Post believes it is imperative that PM/RSAT 
participate in this meeting at the highest appropriate level. 
 
 
¶3.  (U) As the Department may be aware, ADAC was established 
as a directive of the 1998 AUSMIN specifically to coordinate 
and promote cooperation in equipment acquisition, technology 
and support.  The ATDWG was later convened to address 
relevant working level issues among representatives from 
several U.S. and ADOD divisions and agencies, and PM/RSAT. 
As the delegated authority for the administration of the 
International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Post believes 
PM/RSAT would be able to contribute special expertise on 
export controls and policies to the ATDWG, including 
discussion on PM/RSAT's draft blanket disposal agreement. 
Export controls and regulations shape and affect much of 
Australia's defense acquisition and development cooperation 
with the U.S. and PM/RSAT's contributions are beneficial to 
ATDWG activities.  ATDWG is unique among current defense 
cooperation fora in both the detailed nature of the 
discussions and the expertise of the working group 
participants.  Through past meetings, ATDWG has driven 
successful evolution and resolution of a variety of bilateral 
defense cooperation issues. 
 
¶4.  (U) The U.S. and Australia currently hold four other 
sub-Ministerial bilateral defense fora.  Three of these focus 
on issues at a strategic level:  annual Pol-Mil Talks, annual 
MilReps Talks, and annual Defense Policy Talks.  A fourth 
forum was created in 2008 to discuss Defense Cooperation 
Treaty management issues.  The ATDWG remains unique in the 
breadth and depth of participants involved in defense 
acquisition, export controls and technology development. 
PM/RSAT brings unique expertise in defense export controls 
and policy to these discussions. 
 
¶5.  (C/NF) Comment:  There is concern within ADOD that the 
existing channels do not afford enough interchange between 
the policy and operational levels.  We believe PM/RSAT 
participation in this meeting will go a long way to assuaging 
concerns and strengthening working relationships.  If PM PDAS 
or Director attend, Post can also arrange a productive series 
of meetings outside the formal working group, including 
discussions with the ADOD Disposal Agency and meetings with 
ADOD and DFAT personnel involved in U.S. - Australia regional 
security initiatives.  End comment. 
 
MCCALLUM 
QMCCALLUM