POTENTIAL UAV/CRUISE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

S E C R E T PARIS 006124

SIPDIS

FOR EC/ECNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2015
TAGS: FR IR ETTC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: POTENTIAL UAV/CRUISE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TO IRAN (S)

REF: SECSTATE 164496

Classified By: ESTH COUNSELOR ROBERT W. DRY FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) & (D)


1. (S) On September 8, ESTH Counselor provided French MTCR
point-of-contact David Bertolotti in the disarmament and
nonproliferation division of the MFA with points contained
reftel. (Although reftel request is not described as falling
with the MTCR itself, since it involves technology possibly
associated with UAVs or cruise missiles, Berlotti was thought
to be the best point of entry for passing this information to
the GOF.)


2. (S) Bertolotti read the points and expressed surprise
that French firm Helices Halter might be involved in a
transfer of sensitive technology to Iran, noting the company
was a world leader in the production of a certain propulsion
component. He asked whether foreign ministries in Italy and
the Netherlands were also being asked by the U.S. to
investigate transactions related to their national companies
and was told they were. In any event, he said he would
immediately forward the points about Helices Halter to French
security authorities for investigation.
STAPLETON