GERMAN RESPONSE: UNSCR 1718 OBLIGATIONS AND KOMID

S E C R E T BERLIN 003259 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR, ISN, EB, AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016 TAGS: PARM EFIN KNNP PREL PGOV DPRK KN CH GM SUBJECT: GERMAN RESPONSE: UNSCR 1718 OBLIGATIONS AND KOMID FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES REF: A. STATE 180512 ¶B. STATE 182889 ¶C. BERLIN 195 Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Global Affairs officer delivered ref A demarche November 6 to MFA Export Control Division Desk Officer Andreas Kauke. Global affairs officer subsequently delivered ref B demarche November 7 to MFA International Economic Policy Division Desk Officer Bernd Forster and MFA Nuclear Nonproliferation Division Counselor Wolfgang Rudischhauser. Kauke said German authorities are well aware of KOMID and the two subsidiaries designated under E.O. 13382 -- Hesong Trading Corporation and Tosong Technology Trading Corporation -- and their illicit activities. ¶2. (S) Kauke reiterated that Germany does not export arms to North Korea and has implemented strict standards on the export of dual-use goods to North Korea. He added the German interagency export control working group has received no indication of any KOMID procurement-related activity in Germany. Kauke noted the German Foreign Office carefully scrutinizes all North Korean visa applications and consults closely with German intelligence agencies and the German interagency export control working group. Kauke also noted most North Korean visitors are closely monitored while in Germany (ref C). ¶3. (S) Forster said he would share ref B information with the Finance Ministry and Economics Ministry and provide Global Affairs officer with a coordinated response in the near future. Post will follow up with contacts in each ministry and report any substantive German response septel. TIMKEN JR