SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON IRAN'S MILITARY PROCUREMENT

S E C R E T MADRID 002800

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV MASS MOPS IR SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON IRAN'S MILITARY PROCUREMENT
ATTEMPTS

REF: SECSTATE 149124

Classified By: KATHLEEN M. FITZPATRICK, POLITICAL COUNSELOR.
REASONS 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (S) Summary: The Spanish MFA told us it was unaware
that Spanish firms have been involved in Iran's attempt to
procure military and electronic equipment, according to
officials in the Office of International Affairs of
Disarmament. Such attempts would put Spanish business
interests at odds with the MFA's non-proliferation concerns
with Iran. The MFA would welcome an intelligence briefing in
September after the Spanish summer holiday, when its top
officials will be prepared to focus on the issue. End
Summary.


2. (S) We met the Deputy Director-designate for
International Affairs of Disarmament, Marcos Rodriguez, to
inform the MFA of Iran's attempts to procure military items
in Spain (reftel). Rodriguez told us that an Iranian
delegation of government officials and private business
leaders visited Foreign Minister Moratinos in May, but they
did not discuss potential military sells between Iran and
Spain. If Izar and other Spanish firms are negotiating with
Iran to sell military items, it could cause a serious
conflict between Spanish business interests and the MFA's
support for non-proliferation concerns with Iran, Rodriguez
said.


3. (S) Rodriguez explained that officials in the Office of
International Disarmament Affairs would welcome a U.S.
intelligence briefing on the attempts of Iran and other state
sponsors of terror to procure conventional military and
dual-use goods in Europe. However, because International
Disarmament Affair's Deputy Director General Laclaustra was
recently appointed and Spain's vacation season is
approaching, it would be better to schedule an intelligence
briefing at the end of September, Rodriguez said, when
officials would be able to focus on the issue. Rodriguez
said he would transmit the talking points to the director
general and report his comments to us.


4. (C) We will report any significant Spanish reaction.
MANZANARES