POTENTIAL UAV/CRUISE MISSILE TECH TRANSFER TO IRAN

S E C R E T ROME 004021

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/CWTR AND ISN/MTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/8/2015
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL IR NE IT MTCR EXPORT CONTROLS
SUBJECT: POTENTIAL UAV/CRUISE MISSILE TECH TRANSFER TO IRAN
MOVING FORWARD

REF: A. ROME 3146


B. STATE 164496

Classified By: A/ECMIN KATHLEEN REDDY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) SUMMARY: Aldo Doria, Head of the Ministry of
Productive Activities' Export Control Unit, told EconOff the
export of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/cruise missile
components from Italy to the Netherlands for possible
re-export to Iran is likely to occur by December 20. The
Italian firm is cooperating with the GOI, but does not know
the items in question are being purchased on behalf of the
Iranian military. Dutch officials told him last week in
Brussels that the export to Iran could be stopped using the
Wassenaar Arrangement's "catch-all" clause. End summary.


2. (S) EconOff met December 5 with Aldo Doria, Head of the
Productive Activities Ministry's Export Control Unit, to
discuss the status of the export of engines manufactured by
the Italian firm Zanzottera Technologies SRL to the Dutch
firm Aviation Services International (ASI). Per Ref A, ASI
is buying the engines for an Iranian military procurement
entity. Doria explained that because the sale is occurring
within the single European market, the GOI does not have the
legal means to stop the shipment. He said that Zanzottera
Technologies is apparently unaware the engines are being
purchased on behalf of the Iranian military. Zanzottera has
been cooperative with the GOI, and will inform Doria when the
engines are shipped to ASI, probably before December 20.


3. (S) Doria had just returned from an EU export controls
meeting in Brussels (likely a preparatory meeting for the
Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary meeting in Vienna) at which he
discussed this export with Dutch officials. They confirmed
that they were aware of the export, because they had been
"awakened" to it by USG demarches, and told Doria the
re-export of the Italian engines could be stopped under the
Wassenaar Arrangement's "catch-all" clause.


4. (S) Doria will attend the Wassenaar Plenary meeting next
week in Vienna, and will be available to discuss this export
with USG officials. He expressed hope that the USG, GOI, and
GON could stop this export, and said it is important to
demonstrate that multilateral regimes such as Wassenaar can
prevent sensitive technology exports to states of concern.
SPOGLI