PSI: MISSILE-RELATED TRANSFER TO IRAN VIA TURKEY

S E C R E T ANKARA 003138

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NP/CBM, EUR/SE, EUR/PRA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA IR TU MTCRE
SUBJECT: PSI: MISSILE-RELATED TRANSFER TO IRAN VIA TURKEY

REF: A. ANKARA 3088

B. ANKARA 3053

C. STATE 99755

D. ANKARA 2836

E. ANKARA 2816

Classified By: Acting DCM James R. Moore for reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (S) MFA Deputy Director General for Disarmament and Arms
Control Bulent Meric contacted PolMilCouns on June 3
regarding the shipment of Chinese-origin missile-related
equipment to Iran (reftels). Meric said that the UK
Ambassador had explained to MFA Deputy U/S Sensoy on June 1
that HMG was doing its best to convince the Chinese to take
back the shipment, but winning agreement would take time.
Sensoy reportedly responded that Turkish authorities could
only continue its hold on the material for a "reasonable
amount of time." He urged the British to redouble their
efforts.


2. (S) Meric also corrected a detail in what he told
PolMilCouns on June 1 (ref A) -- he said the material was
not/not in a free trade zone, but in a customs area.
Nonetheless, the same regulations apply: unless the shipper
applies to clear customs, the goods are not within Turkey's
customs jurisdiction and "catch all" export controls cannot
be applied. Although the GOT continues to place its hope on
the British efforts in Beijing, he confirmed, as he foretold
previously (ref A),that at an interagency meeting on this
issue on June 2 participants agreed to pursue an
investigation of the various bills of lading for the shipment
in the hope of turning up evidence of a false declaration.

EDELMAN