Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW3737
2007-07-31 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIAN MFA DISMISSES REPORTS OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT
how-toVZCZCXRO7101 OO RUEHDBU DE RUEHMO #3737 2121624 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311624Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2511 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 003737
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: ETTC PREL MCAP IR RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN MFA DISMISSES REPORTS OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT
SALES TO IRAN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel A. Russell. Reasons 1.4 (B/D).
(C) On July 31, Embassy raised media reports that Russia
plans to sell long-range Sukhoy fighter aircraft to Iran with
Andrey Odnoral, Arms Technology and Transfer Specialist in
the Foreign Ministry's Department for Disarmament and
Security Affairs. Odnoral told us that the purported
transfer to Iran of 250 Su-30 fighter aircraft, along with 20
Il-78 air refueling tankers, was a "fairy tale." He stated
that Moscow valued its international reputation and would not
transfer weapons to Iran that were clearly in violation of
existing UN Security Council resolutions. Odnoral said no
negotiations were ongoing between Rosoboroneksport and
Iranian officials to transfer aircraft or any other weapons
systems to Tehran. He added that Russia did not currently
have the capability to produce that quantity of fighter
aircraft.
RUSSELL