Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS7178
2006-11-02 15:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRANCE PROMISES VIGILANCE TOWARD KOMID AND OTHER

Tags:  PARM FR MNUC KNNP KN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #7178 3061522
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021522Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2792
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007178 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2016
TAGS: PARM FR MNUC KNNP KN
SUBJECT: FRANCE PROMISES VIGILANCE TOWARD KOMID AND OTHER
NORTH KOREAN PROLIFERATORS

REF: A. STATE 180512

B. STATE 179472

Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007178

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2016
TAGS: PARM FR MNUC KNNP KN
SUBJECT: FRANCE PROMISES VIGILANCE TOWARD KOMID AND OTHER
NORTH KOREAN PROLIFERATORS

REF: A. STATE 180512

B. STATE 179472

Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d


1. (C) This is an action message; see paragraph 3. Poloff
called November 2 upon Arnaud Mentre, desk officer for
non-proliferation in the MFA's bureau of strategic affairs,
to deliver demarche (reftel A). Mentre said France is aware
of the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID)
and its track record as a "notorious proliferator." Mentre
said that although KOMID is not known to have engaged in the
transfer or purchase of arms or technology within France or
the European Union, the GoF has given all French airports a
list of all known North Korean proliferators and it will soon
pass a similar list to all sea ports.


2. (C) Mentre said the GoF is concerned that North Korea
might be using vessels registered in Mongolia to transfer
technology and arms. The French Embassy in Ulaanbataar
recently demarched the Mongolian MFA, telling them the French
believed that Mongolia was not being sufficiently vigilant in
preventing North Korean proliferation. The Mongolia MFA said
they would study the situation, and Mentre said French
diplomats left with the impression that the Mongolians were
in fact sincere.


3. (C) Mentre said the MFA continues to review Under
Secretary Joseph's proposal to use the Proliferation Security

SIPDIS
Initiative (PSI) as a mechanism to prevent tranfer of arms
and technologies in support of the North Korean weapons
program (reftel B). He added that the MFA is particularly
interested in the idea that North Korea could be refueling
outside territorial waters to avoid detection of vessels
engaged in prohibited activities. Mentre said the GoF is
committed to insuring that North Korea cannot circumvent UNSC
1718 in this manner. ACTION REQUEST: Mentre said the MFA
would be grateful if the U.S. could provide any information
on instances when North Korean vessels have refueled outside
territorial waters, whether near France or elsewhere.




Action Request:
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON