Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1280
2008-09-17 15:52:00
SECRET
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
(S) GERMANY CONSIDERING ACTION TO PREVENT IRAN'S AQUISITION OF SNIPER RIFLES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRL #1280 2611552 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 171552Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2190 INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 9831 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0941
S E C R E T BERLIN 001280
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE
STATE FOR ISN/CATR MARGARET T. MITCHELL AND EUR/PRA MATTHEW
HARDIMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2033
TAGS: PARM, PREL, MASS, ETTC, FR, AU, IR, GM
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY CONSIDERING ACTION TO PREVENT IRAN'S
AQUISITION OF SNIPER RIFLES
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BERLIN 001280
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE
STATE FOR ISN/CATR MARGARET T. MITCHELL AND EUR/PRA MATTHEW
HARDIMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2033
TAGS: PARM, PREL, MASS, ETTC, FR, AU, IR, GM
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY CONSIDERING ACTION TO PREVENT IRAN'S
AQUISITION OF SNIPER RIFLES
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: Based on reftel demarche information, German
export control officials indicated that they would attempt to
prevent the potential Iranian procurement of German-made
Unique Alpine (UA) sniper rifles via a French intermediary.
German export control law does not/not automatically consider
these rifles to be "war weapons," exempting UA the need to
obtain an export license from the German Federal Office of
Economics and Export Control (BAFA). However, German export
control officials intimated that they have other regulatory
mechanisms to intervene in this procurement case. END SUMMARY
2. (S) On September 16, Emboffs delivered reftel demarche to
the German Ministry of Economics Head of Division for Defense
Export Policy, Dr. Walter Werner and his deputy Christof
Wegner. In addition, Emboffs delivered this demarche in
parallel to the MFA Iran Desk and to the MFA Arms Export
Control Division. Upon first glance at reftel information,
Werner expressed concern that German-made weapons would reach
Iran. However, Wegner, who appeared extremely familiar with
this particular rifle, noted that Germany categorizes it as
an "ordinary firearm" and thus would not require BAFA to get
involved.
3. (S) Wegner said that in order for Germany to consider a
conventional firearm as a "war weapon" it must be: (1)
specially designed for armed forces, (2) lethal, and (3)
designed to kill or for destruction of property. In the case
of the UA sniper rifle, Germany assesses that it does not
meet the "war weapons" criteria, as it could also be used in
"sporting" applications. Wegner said that Germany only
classifies about three German-made sniper rifles as "war
weapons", adding that the difference could be that these
sniper rifles are semi-automatic, whereas the UA sniper
rifles in question are bolt-action.
4. (S) Werner observed that Germany has a partial embargo
against Iran and that any witting export of weapons by a
German company destined for Iran would be illegal. Werner
said that his office would take action and distribute the
nonpaper information within the German export controls
authorities in an effort to prevent this export. At the end
of the meeting, Werner commented, "hopefully these rifles
have not been exported yet."
COMMENT
--------------
5. (S) Werner appeared very sincere about taking prompt
action to prevent this export. Aside from the fact that
Germany does not consider these rifles as "war weapons"
(hence, BAFA would not need to get involved),Wegner said
that UA would still need to apply for the "usual permits" --
which indicates the GOG still has the ability to take
positive action. Wegner also noted that the quantity of 40
rifles is nothing extraordinary. In addition, he said that
that Germany has no past export control problems with UA and
that UA is a known supplier of specialized weapons for German
special forces.
6. (S) After reviewing the Unique Alpine website and other
open source descriptions of the Unique Alpine TPG-1, we feel
that the German non-classification of this weapon as a "war
weapon" is questionable.
KOENIG
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE
STATE FOR ISN/CATR MARGARET T. MITCHELL AND EUR/PRA MATTHEW
HARDIMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2033
TAGS: PARM, PREL, MASS, ETTC, FR, AU, IR, GM
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY CONSIDERING ACTION TO PREVENT IRAN'S
AQUISITION OF SNIPER RIFLES
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: Based on reftel demarche information, German
export control officials indicated that they would attempt to
prevent the potential Iranian procurement of German-made
Unique Alpine (UA) sniper rifles via a French intermediary.
German export control law does not/not automatically consider
these rifles to be "war weapons," exempting UA the need to
obtain an export license from the German Federal Office of
Economics and Export Control (BAFA). However, German export
control officials intimated that they have other regulatory
mechanisms to intervene in this procurement case. END SUMMARY
2. (S) On September 16, Emboffs delivered reftel demarche to
the German Ministry of Economics Head of Division for Defense
Export Policy, Dr. Walter Werner and his deputy Christof
Wegner. In addition, Emboffs delivered this demarche in
parallel to the MFA Iran Desk and to the MFA Arms Export
Control Division. Upon first glance at reftel information,
Werner expressed concern that German-made weapons would reach
Iran. However, Wegner, who appeared extremely familiar with
this particular rifle, noted that Germany categorizes it as
an "ordinary firearm" and thus would not require BAFA to get
involved.
3. (S) Wegner said that in order for Germany to consider a
conventional firearm as a "war weapon" it must be: (1)
specially designed for armed forces, (2) lethal, and (3)
designed to kill or for destruction of property. In the case
of the UA sniper rifle, Germany assesses that it does not
meet the "war weapons" criteria, as it could also be used in
"sporting" applications. Wegner said that Germany only
classifies about three German-made sniper rifles as "war
weapons", adding that the difference could be that these
sniper rifles are semi-automatic, whereas the UA sniper
rifles in question are bolt-action.
4. (S) Werner observed that Germany has a partial embargo
against Iran and that any witting export of weapons by a
German company destined for Iran would be illegal. Werner
said that his office would take action and distribute the
nonpaper information within the German export controls
authorities in an effort to prevent this export. At the end
of the meeting, Werner commented, "hopefully these rifles
have not been exported yet."
COMMENT
--------------
5. (S) Werner appeared very sincere about taking prompt
action to prevent this export. Aside from the fact that
Germany does not consider these rifles as "war weapons"
(hence, BAFA would not need to get involved),Wegner said
that UA would still need to apply for the "usual permits" --
which indicates the GOG still has the ability to take
positive action. Wegner also noted that the quantity of 40
rifles is nothing extraordinary. In addition, he said that
that Germany has no past export control problems with UA and
that UA is a known supplier of specialized weapons for German
special forces.
6. (S) After reviewing the Unique Alpine website and other
open source descriptions of the Unique Alpine TPG-1, we feel
that the German non-classification of this weapon as a "war
weapon" is questionable.
KOENIG