VZCZCXYZ0023
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHGB #0218 0252029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 252029Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5396
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000218
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE PASS TO PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR AND TO
BILL JENSEN NEA/I/PM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC IZ KOMC
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN LICENSE 05-050079420
REF: STATE 135
1. (U) Post has contacted the Multi-National Security
Transition Command in Iraq (MNSTC-I) and they confirm that
this is a legitimate purchase of ammunition by the Iraqi
Army. The M855 ammunition is often referred to as "5.56 ball"
and is the most commonly fired round for the M-16 / M-4
carbine.
2. (SBU) Currently, MNSTC-I has issued just over 30,000 M-16
variants and has an additional 15,000 in stock awaiting issue
in conjunction with unit set fielding. This will equip six
Iraqi divisions and the Presidential Brigade--which amounts
to just over half of the current Iraqi Army strength.
MNSTC-I assesses that this order of 39 million rounds will
not satisfy the base line requirements for Iraqi Army units
"basic loads and individual qualification standards". They
advise that DTCC should anticipate additional orders of this
same ammunition in these amounts.
3. (U) Regarding the bona fides of Mr. Stuart Watkins,
MNSTC-I confirms that he is a U.S. government contractor
under their direct employment. Mr. Watkins manages the
MNSTC-I fielding plan for equipping the Iraqi Security Forces
with the M-16/M-4 carbine.
4. (U) MNSTC-I POC:
Colonel Phillip Maxwell, U.S. Army
Director, Strategic Initiatives Group
(914) 822-1605
phillip.maxwell@iraq.centcom.mil
US Embassy Baghdad POC:
Mr. Edward Gallagher
PolMil, Security Cooperation and Arms Transfers
(914) 822-0805
gallagherea@state.gov
CROCKER