Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE107520
2008-10-07 21:07:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:
(S) EFFORTS BY NORTH KOREA TO PROCURE CONTROLLED
how-toP 072107Z OCT 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY INFO MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T STATE 107520
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL MNUC ETTC SZ CH KN
SUBJECT: (S) EFFORTS BY NORTH KOREA TO PROCURE CONTROLLED
MACHINES TOOLS FROM A FIRM IN SWITZERLAND
REF: A. 07 STATE 170786
B. BERN 000002
C. STATE 013055
D. BERN 000071
E. BERN 000131
F. STATE 035867
Classified By: ACTING ISN/MTR DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),and (D).
S E C R E T STATE 107520
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL MNUC ETTC SZ CH KN
SUBJECT: (S) EFFORTS BY NORTH KOREA TO PROCURE CONTROLLED
MACHINES TOOLS FROM A FIRM IN SWITZERLAND
REF: A. 07 STATE 170786
B. BERN 000002
C. STATE 013055
D. BERN 000071
E. BERN 000131
F. STATE 035867
Classified By: ACTING ISN/MTR DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),and (D).
1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Bern, please see
paragraph 3.
2. (S) Background: On several occasions, we have raised with
Swiss officials exports of machine tools by the Swiss firm
Schaublin Machines that posed potential proliferation
concerns (Reftels). In response, Swiss authorities have
taken actions to subject transfers of equipment produced by
Schaublin Machines to greater export control scrutiny to
limit the proliferation risks associated with such sales (Ref
B and E). We now would like to alert the GOS to information
indicating that proliferation-related entities in North Korea
may be attempting to procure equipment controlled by the
Wassenaar Arrangement and Nuclear Suppliers' Group from
Schaublin Machines. We want to urge Swiss authorities to
investigate this information and take all appropriate
measures to prevent Swiss-origin equipment from being
supplied to weapons-related entities in North Korea. We also
want to emphasize that such action would be consistent with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718.
3. (S) Action request: Request Embassy Bern approach
appropriate Swiss authorities to deliver talking
points/non-paper in paragraph 4 below and report response.
Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.
4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:
(SECRET//REL SWITZERLAND)
-- On several occasions, we have brought to your attention
exports of machine tools by the Swiss firm Schaublin Machines
that posed potential proliferation concerns.
-- We greatly appreciate the actions your government has
taken to minimize the risks associated with such transfers.
-- For example, you informed us earlier this year that
certain proposed transfers by Schaublin Machines would be
subjected to greater export control scrutiny, particularly
those involving companies in Iran.
-- It therefore is in the spirit of our close cooperation on
this issue that we would like to alert you to information
indicating that proliferation-related entities in North Korea
may be attempting to procure equipment from Schaublin
Machines.
-- Specifically, we understand that in July 2008, the
Beijing-based Pira-Tech Company was seeking to procure from
Schaublin Machines a computer numerically controlled (CNC)
lathe controlled by the Wassenaar Arrangement and Nuclear
Suppliers' Group on behalf of North Korea's primary weapons
trading firm Korea Mining Development Corporation (KOMID).
-- KOMID is an entity of significant proliferation concern
that is currently subject to sanctions under U.S. law for its
missile-related trading activities.
-- In particular, KOMID is designated under Executive Order
13382 for engaging in activities that have materially
contributed to North Korea's proliferation-related
activities. This designation means that all of KOMID's
assets that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.
-- Given KOMID's involvement in this transaction, we are
concerned that the lathe being sought could potentially be
diverted to military- and missile-related projects in North
Korea.
-- We therefore urge you to investigate this information and
take all appropriate measures to prevent Swiss-origin
equipment from being supplied to weapons-related entities in
North Korea. We believe such action would be consistent with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, especially
paragraph 8(a)(ii) which prohibits transfers of items listed
on the Nuclear Suppliers Group lists (as captured in Security
Council document S/2006/814) to North Korea.
-- We look forward to future cooperation on nonproliferation
issues and to hearing of any actions your government takes in
response to this information.
End talking points/non-paper.
5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR James Mayes (Phone:
202-647-3185). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR, EUR/CE, and EUR/PRA.
6. (U) A word version file of this document will be posted
at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.
RICE
NNNN
End Cable Text
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL MNUC ETTC SZ CH KN
SUBJECT: (S) EFFORTS BY NORTH KOREA TO PROCURE CONTROLLED
MACHINES TOOLS FROM A FIRM IN SWITZERLAND
REF: A. 07 STATE 170786
B. BERN 000002
C. STATE 013055
D. BERN 000071
E. BERN 000131
F. STATE 035867
Classified By: ACTING ISN/MTR DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),and (D).
1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Bern, please see
paragraph 3.
2. (S) Background: On several occasions, we have raised with
Swiss officials exports of machine tools by the Swiss firm
Schaublin Machines that posed potential proliferation
concerns (Reftels). In response, Swiss authorities have
taken actions to subject transfers of equipment produced by
Schaublin Machines to greater export control scrutiny to
limit the proliferation risks associated with such sales (Ref
B and E). We now would like to alert the GOS to information
indicating that proliferation-related entities in North Korea
may be attempting to procure equipment controlled by the
Wassenaar Arrangement and Nuclear Suppliers' Group from
Schaublin Machines. We want to urge Swiss authorities to
investigate this information and take all appropriate
measures to prevent Swiss-origin equipment from being
supplied to weapons-related entities in North Korea. We also
want to emphasize that such action would be consistent with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718.
3. (S) Action request: Request Embassy Bern approach
appropriate Swiss authorities to deliver talking
points/non-paper in paragraph 4 below and report response.
Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.
4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:
(SECRET//REL SWITZERLAND)
-- On several occasions, we have brought to your attention
exports of machine tools by the Swiss firm Schaublin Machines
that posed potential proliferation concerns.
-- We greatly appreciate the actions your government has
taken to minimize the risks associated with such transfers.
-- For example, you informed us earlier this year that
certain proposed transfers by Schaublin Machines would be
subjected to greater export control scrutiny, particularly
those involving companies in Iran.
-- It therefore is in the spirit of our close cooperation on
this issue that we would like to alert you to information
indicating that proliferation-related entities in North Korea
may be attempting to procure equipment from Schaublin
Machines.
-- Specifically, we understand that in July 2008, the
Beijing-based Pira-Tech Company was seeking to procure from
Schaublin Machines a computer numerically controlled (CNC)
lathe controlled by the Wassenaar Arrangement and Nuclear
Suppliers' Group on behalf of North Korea's primary weapons
trading firm Korea Mining Development Corporation (KOMID).
-- KOMID is an entity of significant proliferation concern
that is currently subject to sanctions under U.S. law for its
missile-related trading activities.
-- In particular, KOMID is designated under Executive Order
13382 for engaging in activities that have materially
contributed to North Korea's proliferation-related
activities. This designation means that all of KOMID's
assets that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.
-- Given KOMID's involvement in this transaction, we are
concerned that the lathe being sought could potentially be
diverted to military- and missile-related projects in North
Korea.
-- We therefore urge you to investigate this information and
take all appropriate measures to prevent Swiss-origin
equipment from being supplied to weapons-related entities in
North Korea. We believe such action would be consistent with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, especially
paragraph 8(a)(ii) which prohibits transfers of items listed
on the Nuclear Suppliers Group lists (as captured in Security
Council document S/2006/814) to North Korea.
-- We look forward to future cooperation on nonproliferation
issues and to hearing of any actions your government takes in
response to this information.
End talking points/non-paper.
5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR James Mayes (Phone:
202-647-3185). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR, EUR/CE, and EUR/PRA.
6. (U) A word version file of this document will be posted
at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.
RICE
NNNN
End Cable Text