(S) SHIPMENT OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN DEMARCHE

S E C R E T ANKARA 001340 SIPDIS EUR/PRA, ISN/CPI, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2033 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC PK TU SUBJECT: (S) SHIPMENT OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 79656 Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Christopher Rich, Reasons 1.4 ( b, d) ¶1. (S) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA Acting Deputy Director General Elif Ulgen on July 25. Ulgen said the GOT determination that the machine in question was not controlled by the Wassenaar Arrangement or the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was made following consultations with interagency experts. She disagreed that the machine is subject to NSG controls. She intimated that in the last two months, the GOT had stopped three separate shipments of CNC machining tools originating from EU member states headed for Iran. In each instance, the GOT held up the shipment until it received assurances from the embassies of the countries in question that the machines were: a) not subject to export controls; and b) not directed to entities subject to sanctions under the three UNSC resolutions related to Iran. In each instance, including shipments that included two- and even three-axis machining tools, the relevant embassy provided written assurances that the items were not subject to export control requirements. Ulgen queried why these EU member states believe that two- or three-axis machining tools were not subject to export controls while the USG is claiming that they should be. She took the opportunity to reiterate GOT's desire for countries of origin to be more vigilant in its export licensing process. ¶2. (S) Ulgen undertook to review with GOT technical and legal experts whether the provisions of 1.B.2 of the NSG dual-use annex applies in this case. She pledged that if the GOT determines that the USG position is correct, it will take the necessary steps to conduct a post-shipment end-user check on the machine. If there is a difference in interpretation of what the NSG annex requires, Ulgen suggested, the NSG should discuss this question and develop a common and clear understanding on what type of CNC equipment ought to be subject to controls. ¶3. (S) She requested time to consult with other GOT agencies regarding our request to share the information from Turkey's investigation into this case with the Government of Japan, and pledged to provide a response soon. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON