(S) ALERTING GERMANY TO A SHIPMENT OF

S E C R E T STATE 131559 E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2017 TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC GM SY SUBJECT: (S) ALERTING GERMANY TO A SHIPMENT OF GERMAN-ORIGIN TRUCKS CHASSIS TO SYRIA'S BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO REASONS 1.5 (B),(C) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Berlin, please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (S) The U.S. has information that a German company recently arranged the shipment of 17 Mercedes-Benz trucks from Hamburg, Germany, to Latakia, Syria, aboard the Maltese-flagged vessel "Wloclawek." These 17 trucks are consigned to a company associated with Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC),which is the lead agency involved in Syria's ballistic missile and WMD programs. We are concerned that these trucks could be modified in Syria so that they can be used as launchers or support vehicles for a developmental short-range ballistic missile system. As the "Wloclawek" will next make a port call in Alexandria, Egypt, on September 20, we want to alert German authorities to our concerns that these items likely are intended for use in Syria's missile program and request they consider recalling this shipment to Germany. ¶3. (S) Action request: Department requests Embassy Berlin approach appropriate host government officials to deliver the talking points in paragraph 4, hand-over accompanying photos, and report response (Note: ISN/MTR will email photos to Post when transmitting the demarche). Talking points may be left as a non-paper. ¶4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET//REL GERMANY) -- In the spirit of our nonproliferation partnership, we would like to alert you to a matter of proliferation concern and request your government's immediate assistance in investigating this activity. -- The U.S. has information that the German transfer company Orient-Schiffahrts Speditionsgesellschaft mbH arranged the shipment of 17 Mercedes-Benz trucks from Hamburg, Germany to Latakia, Syria aboard the Maltese-flagged vessel "Wloclawek." -- We understand that these 17 trucks are consigned to a company associated with Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC). -- As has been discussed extensively at annual Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Information Exchange meetings, SSRC is the lead agency involved in Syria's ballistic missile and WMD programs. -- We are bringing this to your attention because we understand that these trucks could be used as launchers or support vehicles for a developmental short-range ballistic missile system. -- Our information indicates that the "Wloclawek" will next make a port call in Alexandria, Egypt, on September 20 and that this vessel is scheduled to arrive in Latakia, Syria, on or about September 23. -- Because these items likely are intended for use in Syria's missile program, we request that you immediately investigate this transfer and consider recalling this shipment to Germany. -- We look forward to continuing cooperation on nonproliferation issues and to hearing of any actions you take in this case at the earliest possible time. ¶5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR James Mayes (Phone: 202-647-3185). Please slug any reporting on this issue for ISN and EUR. RICE NNNN End Cable Text