SHIELD S32-06: FRENCH COMPANY COOPERATION WITH

S E C R E T PARIS 001689 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2022 TAGS: PARM ETTC PREL FR SUBJECT: SHIELD S32-06: FRENCH COMPANY COOPERATION WITH IRAN ON NBC EQUIPMENT REF: A. REF: A. PARIS 409 ¶B. B. SECSTATE 11100 Classified By: Classified By: Stuart Dwyer for reasons 1.4 (B, D, H). ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph 5. (S)2. On April 25, econoff met with MFA Director for Export Control Jacques Raharinaivo to discuss the results of the GOF investigation into French company Paul Boye Manufacturing's dealings with two subsidiaries of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization (DIO) in the area of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protective and decontamination suits. On February 1, econoff had met with Raharinaivo to provide background and request that the GOF investigate the matter (ref a). (S) 3. Raharivnaivo said that the MFA had completed its investigation and confirmed that representatives from Paul Boye Manufacturing met with DIO subsidiaries NAB Export and Milad Industrial Factories in France in late August 2004 and in Iran in January 2005. However, the French firm did not sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iranians, and no commercial follow-up occurred to these visits. The Iranians, upon their first visit to France, wanted information about products that Paul Boye Manufacturing offered and looked at the firm's catalogue. The Iranians also noted that they sold similar products, which they offered to sell to the French company. (Paul Boye was not interested). A company rep told the MFA that the Iranians stopped in France as part of a wider trip through Europe. The Iranians planned to travel to Germany next, but Paul Boye Manufacturing did not have information about where in Germany they were going or who they would see. (S) 4. The MFA warned Paul Boye Manufacturing that the Wassenaar Arrangement controls NBC protective and decontamination suits, and that UN Security Council sanctions forbid the trade of such products. Paul Boye Manufacturing reps said they would remain aware of, and adhere to, these restrictions should the Iranians approach them again. (S)5. Action request: Per ref A, Post requests information that we can pass to the MFA regarding any change in USG policy on dual use and military equipment regulations towards Libya. End action request. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON