Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN341
2008-03-17 16:14:00
SECRET
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

(S) GERMANY REQUESTS INFORMATION REGARDING CARBON

Tags:  ETTC KNNP PARM PREL MTCRE KSCA GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #0341 0771614
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 171614Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0711
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0935
S E C R E T BERLIN 000341 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, ISN, EUR, EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2033
TAGS: ETTC KNNP PARM PREL MTCRE KSCA GM
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY REQUESTS INFORMATION REGARDING CARBON
FIBER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS TO CHINA


Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Craig M. Conway for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T BERLIN 000341

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, ISN, EUR, EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2033
TAGS: ETTC KNNP PARM PREL MTCRE KSCA GM
SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY REQUESTS INFORMATION REGARDING CARBON
FIBER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS TO CHINA


Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Craig M. Conway for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 5.


2. (S) MFA Export Control Division Desk Officer Nancy Reck
provided Global Affairs Officers March 14 with a
German-language nonpaper requesting information on how the
U.S. handles export licensing for carbon-fiber production
technology to China. The inquiries in the nonpaper relate to
a pending export license application. The German nonpaper
requests a response by March 31, 2008.


3. (S) Reck declined to divulge the name of the firm
applying for the license but, when pressed, said the firm is
a German company with operations in California. According to
Reck, the German firm would like to transfer carbon-fiber
production technology to a facility in China. In addition to
the specific questions posed in the German nonpaper, Reck
said, German export control officials would also appreciate
any information concerning relevant U.S. export license
denials and, to the extent possible, information on any
China-specific licensing-related inquiries the USG may have
received from U.S.-based offices of German companies involved
in carbon-fiber production.


4. (S) Begin informal Embassy translation of German-language
nonpaper:

Germany would appreciate information in connection with
technology transfers, specifically the export of
carbon-fiber production technology to China. In connection
with this, we are interested in learning about U.S. licensing
practices with respect to transfers of carbon-fiber
production technology to China, in particular:

-- Has the U.S. already approved or denied transfers to China
of carbon-fiber production technology (e.g., technology
listed under NSG Section, 2.C.7 and Wassenaar Arrangement
Section 1.C.10.b or under NSG Section 2, 2.E.1 and Wassenaar
Arrangement Section 1.E.1)? If there are cases where
transfers of carbon-fiber production technology of a
different quality (higher or lower valency) have been
approved, we would likewise appreciate corresponding
information.

-- Hypothetically, would such a request for the transfer of
the latest carbon-fiber production technology be approved
under U.S. export controls? The reason for asking this
question is that the applicant company for the technology
transfer wants to transfer production from the U.S. to China.

-- If such a transfer were to be approved, would it be
granted: for an exclusively Chinese company?; for a
U.S.-Chinese joint venture?; or for a branch of a U.S.
company?

-- How does the U.S. deal with the danger of misuse? What
precautions does the U.S. take to mitigate this risk?

Beyond this, information on the following questions would be
helpful:

-- Is the equivalent quality of U.S. carbon-fiber production
technology already available in China?

-- How does the U.S. assess the danger that such technology
might be diverted to end-users of concern in China or third
countries?

-- How does the U.S. assess the danger of misuse of
carbon-fiber production technology for missile
technology-related or conventional arms-related purposes in
China or in third-countries?

This inquiry refers to a pending application and requires
immediate action. We would therefore appreciate a response
no later than March 31, 2008.

End text of informal Embassy translation.


5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department guidance
in responding to the questions posed in the German nonpaper.
TIMKEN JR