Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1127
2008-08-15 10:50:00
SECRET
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMANY'S RESPONSE TO IRANIAN - SYRIAN BANKING
how-toVZCZCXRO1582 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHRL #1127 2281050 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 151050Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1938 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0194 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0120 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 9183 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0063 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 9750 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 1358 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0560
S E C R E T BERLIN 001127
SIPDIS
TREASURY
NEA/IR, ISN/CIP FOR MICHELLE NEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2033
TAGS: ECON EFIN KNNP PARM PTER PINR SY IR GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY'S RESPONSE TO IRANIAN - SYRIAN BANKING
REF: STATE 84841
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief
Don Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T BERLIN 001127
SIPDIS
TREASURY
NEA/IR, ISN/CIP FOR MICHELLE NEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2033
TAGS: ECON EFIN KNNP PARM PTER PINR SY IR GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY'S RESPONSE TO IRANIAN - SYRIAN BANKING
REF: STATE 84841
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief
Don Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Econoff delivered reftel non-paper to Julian
Luebbert, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Desk
Officer responsible for Iran Financial Sanctions; Andreas
Krueger, Head of the MFA Iran Unit, and Stefan Bantle,
Syria Desk Officer at MFA. Econoff also delivered reftel
non-paper to Kristina Wogatski, Finance Ministry officer
covering Iran Financial Sanctions.
2. (S) Bantle indicated that Germany was already aware of
Iran's efforts to establish banking ventures in Syria.
Bantle and Luebbert stated that, to their knowledge, there
was no German involvement with this new entity. Bantle
said he would consult with the German Embassy in Damascus
on this topic and contact Econoff with any relevant
information. Luebbert indicated that his office will
review this information as Germany works with the EU on its
implementation of the new Common Position on UNSCR 1803.
3. (S) At the Finance Ministry, Wogatski welcomed the
information and said she would pass it to her superior. As
there is no apparent German involvement with either Bank
Saderat's Iranian - Syrian banking entity or any Syrian
banks involved in proliferation financing, she felt there
was no action for her ministry to take at this time. She
also welcomed the information on Iran's efforts to
circumvent existing financial sanctions and acknowledged
the importance of vigilance regarding German firms'
relations with Syrian banks. (Comment: She suggested this
message might be of interest to the Federal Intelligence
Service (BND) End Comment).
TIMKEN JR
SIPDIS
TREASURY
NEA/IR, ISN/CIP FOR MICHELLE NEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2033
TAGS: ECON EFIN KNNP PARM PTER PINR SY IR GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY'S RESPONSE TO IRANIAN - SYRIAN BANKING
REF: STATE 84841
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief
Don Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Econoff delivered reftel non-paper to Julian
Luebbert, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Desk
Officer responsible for Iran Financial Sanctions; Andreas
Krueger, Head of the MFA Iran Unit, and Stefan Bantle,
Syria Desk Officer at MFA. Econoff also delivered reftel
non-paper to Kristina Wogatski, Finance Ministry officer
covering Iran Financial Sanctions.
2. (S) Bantle indicated that Germany was already aware of
Iran's efforts to establish banking ventures in Syria.
Bantle and Luebbert stated that, to their knowledge, there
was no German involvement with this new entity. Bantle
said he would consult with the German Embassy in Damascus
on this topic and contact Econoff with any relevant
information. Luebbert indicated that his office will
review this information as Germany works with the EU on its
implementation of the new Common Position on UNSCR 1803.
3. (S) At the Finance Ministry, Wogatski welcomed the
information and said she would pass it to her superior. As
there is no apparent German involvement with either Bank
Saderat's Iranian - Syrian banking entity or any Syrian
banks involved in proliferation financing, she felt there
was no action for her ministry to take at this time. She
also welcomed the information on Iran's efforts to
circumvent existing financial sanctions and acknowledged
the importance of vigilance regarding German firms'
relations with Syrian banks. (Comment: She suggested this
message might be of interest to the Federal Intelligence
Service (BND) End Comment).
TIMKEN JR