(S) GERMANY COMPLIMENTS THE U.S. HANDLING OF THE

S E C R E T BERLIN 000915 SIPDIS, STATE FOR AF, EUR, ISN AND T ISN/CPI FOR MARK FELIPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2033 TAGS: MNUC PARM PREL SY LI KN GM SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY COMPLIMENTS THE U.S. HANDLING OF THE ANTARES I INTERDICTION REF: STATE 73774 Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (a),(b),and (d). ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 4. ¶2. (S) On July 11, Global Affairs officer delivered reftel demarche to German MFA Deputy Head of Export Control Division Christof Pollmeier in regards to the U.S. boarding of the Antares I. Pollmeier expressed appreciation for the nonpaper information and complimented the USG for its "transparency and timely information" in connection with this event. Pollmeier added, "The level of cooperation between the U.S. and all parties involved with this particular event was an excellent example of how future ship interdictions should be handled." ¶3. (S) Pollmeier emphasized the importance, whenever possible, of avoiding interdictions by performing inspections before a suspect shipment takes to the seas. Pollmeier cited Germany's sensitivities to the legal consequences when German business interests are financially affected and stressed that care should always be taken to minimize this impact. As a follow up, Pollmeier requested a summary of the U.S. final analysis of the information obtained during the boarding. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department guidance for responding to the question posed in paragraph 3. TIMKEN JR