(S) CHINA INFORMED OF SHIPMENT OF SODIUM

S E C R E T BEIJING 002486


DEPT FOR EAP, ISN, NEA AND T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2032
TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC IR CH

SUBJECT: (S) CHINA INFORMED OF SHIPMENT OF SODIUM
PERCHLORATE, AMMUNITION AND FUZES FROM CHINA TO IRAN

REF: STATE 49749

Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).


1. (S) China will look into the shipment of sodium
perchlorate, ammunition and fuzes from China to Iran MFA Arms
Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy
Director Wang Daxue said April 14 in response to Poloff's
delivery of Ref A message. Undertaking to report our
information to senior MFA officials, Wang said China fully
abides by its nonproliferation commitments under applicable
law and United Nations Security Council resolutions and
appreciates its cooperation with the United States on
nonproliferation matters.


2. (S) Wang was pessimistic that China would be willing or
able to recall these shipments, noting that sodium
perchorate is not a controlled item, the ship is in
international waters and the ship is not Chinese. Wang
offered responses on the reports of spare parts, ammunition
and fuzes. China will investigate controlled items exported.
China will faithfully implement applicable United Nations
Security resolutions but will not stop exports beyond listed
items because the Chinese government needs a legal basis to
act.


3. (S) POLOFF underscored Chinese companies involved in such
shipments likely run afoul of U.S. law. With Iran's
continued defiance of the international community on the
nuclear issue, shipments such as these necessarily contradict
the intent of applicable United Nations Security Council
Resolutions. China and the United States both share an
interest in preventing Iran from developing its ballistic
missile capabilities. We strongly encourage China to
investigate this matter expeditiously and take action while
there is still time, POLOFF urged.
RANDT


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