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