...RENEWED OPTIMISM...CONTINUED PESSIMISM ¶6. (C) During preparatory meetings and side meetings, USAF and LM officials agreed that the LM bid offered the best package for RTAF. Despite widespread support from lower-ranking members of the RTAF who favor the superior, easier-to-integrate F-16s, the Embassy remains concerned about the transparency of the selection process. The Swedes and the Russians also have the added advantage of having high-level officials (King Carl XVI Gustaf and President Putin) raising the issue directly with RTG. Post believes similar high-level involvement on the part of USG may still influence the RTG. Still, these same officials agree that LM has a definite shot at winning the bid, which they certainly didnt have one month ago. Reasons for the shift include a renewed push by LM, which had previously figured Thailand might opt simply for an upgrade of current planes rather than a purchase of new fighters. The RTAF officers present for the meeting considered this the first meeting with LM in which the company expressed a strong intention to meet the legal requirements for countertrade. ¶7. (C) RTAF informed JUSMAG that the key obstacle to purchase of F-16s is an earlier directive from PM Thaksin to consider only the Swedish and Russian bids due to their offers of offsets and countertrade. At that time, one of Thailands key objectives was to unload its stockpiles of frozen chickens. Although LM is now offering countertrade, and although chickens have become a less important issue, it appears possible that the Commerce Department is still adhering to this directive. Complicating matters is the perception that Lockheed Martins bid lacks high-level backing from the USG. Our RTAF interlocutors suggest that this could be remedied by direct involvement by senior USG officials. Clear guidance from PM Thaksin to consider the F-16 offer must be received by RTAF before they will forward a recommendation to acquire F-16s. FOLLOW-UP ¶8. (C) In all meetings, RTAF officials repeatedly stressed that there was a widespread consensus within the organization that F-16s were the logical choice for their next generation of fighters. LM hopes to boost this level of support by meeting with F-16 pilots and key wing leadership at both Korat and Takhli Air Force Bases April 21-22. The RTAF New Fighter Selection Committee expressed their intention to forward packages and a recommendation to the Ministry of Defense by approximately May 22, while the final decision on a winning bidder is expected to made in July or August. ¶9. (C) Post expects PACOM Commander ADM Fallon will raise F-16 in his meetings with MOD, MFA and the Prime Minister on May 3 and 4. We also will recommend that Deputy Secretary Zoellick urge Thaksin to seriously consider Lockheed Martins countertrade offer during his meeting with the PM on May 4. We are working closely with Washington colleagues to find other high-level opportunities to promote F-16, including Foreign Minister Kantathis upcoming visit to the United States. BOYCE wikileaks.org/cable/2005/04/05BANGKOK2822.html
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 12:49:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015