PRC INFORMED OF DPRK-TO-IRAN FLIGHT OF

S E C R E T BEIJING 003047 NOFORN DEPT FOR EAP, T, ISN, SCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2033 TAGS: PARM PREL MTCR MNUC BG BM IN IR KN CH SUBJECT: PRC INFORMED OF DPRK-TO-IRAN FLIGHT OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN REF: STATE 84151 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b),(c) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) PolOff conveyed reftel flight information regarding an August 7 Air Koryo charter flight from North Korea to Iran to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on August 6 and delivered non-paper the morning of August 7. Noting the suspicious routing of the flight, PolOff informed Deputy Director Wang we suspect the aircraft is transporting DPRK personnel involved in ballistic missile cooperation with Iran in violation of UNSC Resolution 1718 and other resolutions, and urged that overflight permission be conditioned on requiring the aircraft to land for inspection. Deputy Director Wang said he would pass on the information, but suggested that Chinese experts might conclude that the evidence provided linking the flight to Iran's missile program is "not solid enough" to warrant a "disruption of regular commercial activity." RANDT NNNN End Cable Text