NORTH KOREA: ETHIOPIA REQUESTS ALTERNATE SUPPLIER

S E C R E T ADDIS ABABA 000952 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS ISN FOR WMALZHAN AND MROLLERI AF FOR AF/FO AND AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018 TAGS: ET ETTC KN MARR MASS MCAP PARM PREL SUBJECT: NORTH KOREA: ETHIOPIA REQUESTS ALTERNATE SUPPLIER INFORMATION REF: STATE 30418 Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (S/NF) Ambassador Yamamoto delivered reftel demarche on Ethiopia's procurement of rocket fuel and oxidizer to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in a one-on-one meeting April 3. Without either confirming the veracity, or otherwise substantively commenting, on the arrangement, Meles noted simply that he would raise the matter with Ethiopian Chief of Defense Staff General Samora Yonus. In response to the Ambassador's point that there are suppliers of fuel for Volga missiles other than North Korea, Meles requested information on alternate potential suppliers. Post requests the Department to provide information on alternate suppliers for such rocket fuel and oxidizers that Post can provide to the Ethiopian Government. Despite Meles' request for information on alternate potential sources for such supplies, cost will remain the driving factor in sourcing decisions as the Prime Minister told Secretary Rice in December. YAMAMOTO