UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002064

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/SWADDY/DJOHNSON
USDOC FOR 3131 CS/OIO/ANESA/BORR/GLITMAN
ROME FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
STATE FOR EB/ESP
US CUSTOMS HQ FOR STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

E.O. 129585: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETTC IS ETRD ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS HUMANITARIAN AID
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: ISRAEL INSTITUTE
FOR BIOLOGICAL RSC DEPT OF PHARMACOLOGY (D355002)

REF: USDOC 01502 DATED 03/30/2006 AND E-MAIL DATED 06/09/05

FROM WILLIAM FANJOY/HQ/USFCS/USDOC.



1. On May 24, 2006 Commercial Officer John Coronado and
Commercial Specialist Yael Torres conducted a Pre-License
Check at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR)
located at: 24 Reuven Street, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
Named institute is listed in BIS application D355002 as the
end-user for 0.5 milligram Cholera toxin, a subunit from
Vibrio, controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Industry & Security
for chemical or biological warfare reasons.


2. Coronado and Torres met with Dr. Zvi Teitelbaum, Head of
the IIBR Medicinal Chemistry Research Division and Dr.
(Mrs.) Adina Amir, one of the scientists/investigators on
the corneal epithelial cells research that involves the use
of listed controlled substance. Contact information for
this office is tel: (972-8) 938-16918 and (972-8) 938-1504,
fax: (972-8) 940-7686, emails: tzvi@iibr.gov.il and
amir@iibr.gov.il. Ministry of Defense representative Mr.
Ilan Mesushan escorted Coronado and Torres to the IIBR
premises and attended the meeting. Mr. Shlomo Shapira, Head
of Pharmacology and Mrs. Shlomit from the IIBR research team
also attended the meeting. The head of IIBR security was
also present at all times during this meeting.


3. Dr. Teitelbaum and Dr. Amir provided an overview of the
Institute. The Israel Institute for Biological Research is a
governmental, applied research institute specializing in the
fields of biology, medicinal chemistry and environmental
sciences, under the jurisdiction of the Israeli Prime
Minister's Office. It is located approximately 20 kilometers
south of Tel Aviv. The staff is comprised of 350 employees,
including 150 scientists and 160 technicians. The institute
is located within a high-security compound, surrounded by an
electronic fence and guarded 24 hours by armed guards and a
CCTV system. The entrance to the compound is restricted and

visitors must be accompanied at all times.


4. Throughout its history, stories have circulated about the
IIBR's alleged research and activities in the areas of
chemical and biological warfare projects.


5. The IIBR works closely with Israel's Ministry of Defense,
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of
Agriculture. International authorities and institutions
including the U.S. Public Health Services, Center for
Disease Control, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development
Command, the World Health Organization, US-Israel Binational
Science Foundation, National Foundation of Cancer Research
and the German Ministry for Scientific Research and
Technology sponsor some of IIBR's research projects. In
addition, IIBR is regularly contracted by international and
domestic companies to undertake R&D projects.


6. Following the overview, Coronado and Torres visited the
research area located in a separate building. Entry to this
building is limited to staff with appropriate access cards.
IIBR commented that the handling and storage protocols for
the material listed in BIS application D355002 would follow
ISO 9002 standards, and that refrigeration, if necessary,
would be in a locked refrigeration unit. Final handling and
storage protocols may be modified, based on specifications
from the exporter.


7. Dr. Amir provided Embassy officials with a copy of the
end-user statement and the order for 500 micrograms, from
Sigma catalog # C8180, dated February 20, 2006. The order
was addressed to the local distributor, Sigma Israel
Chemical Company. The end-user statement detailed that the
cholera toxin will be used as one of the supplements needed
to grow primary corneal epithelial cells in-vitro, citing
common practice for this type of research.


8. The meeting lasted 1.5 hr and took place approximately
one month after Post initiated its first call. Post
initiated contact with the Institute upon receipt of the PLC
request, but was informed that the principal investigators
were not available until the end of May. As such, IIBR
requested the May 24, 2006 visit.


9. RECOMMENDATION: All indications are that IIBR is engaged
in research in the fields of national health and security
concerns, as well as legitimate commercial activities. Post
believes that the requested substance listed in BIS
application D355002 is for purely scientific/medical
research and that the Israel Institute of Biological
Research will comply with the conditions of the license.


9. Post considers this PLC to be complete, unless BIS
requests further action. Post contact is Commercial Officer
John Coronado email: John.Coronado@mail.doc.gov or telephone
(972-3) 519-7471.

Cretz