IRANIAN BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM SEEKS DRILLING

S E C R E T STATE 109928 E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2033 TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL TW IR SUBJECT: IRANIAN BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM SEEKS DRILLING EQUIPMENT FROM A TAIWAN FIRM (S) Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM REASONS 1.4 (B),(C) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. AIT Taipei, please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) Background: The U.S. has information that in August 2008, the Iranian company Saameh Company was seeking to procure electrical discharge machining drills from Taiwan's Joemars Machinery and Electrical Industrial Company, Ltd. Our information indicates that Saameh Company is coordinating this purchase on behalf of the Shahid Hemmat Industries Group (SHIG),which is responsible for developing Iran's liquid propellant ballistic missile program and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) ¶1737. Although not controlled by any of the multilateral export control regimes, the electrical discharge machining drills sought by Saameh Company could be used by SHIG to produce fuel injector elements in liquid rocket engines. We want to urge Taiwan authorities to investigate this activity and take immediate measures to prevent Iran's SHIG from acquiring this equipment from Joemars Machinery and Electrical Industrial Company. We also want to emphasize that taking such action would be consistent with UNSCRs 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835. ¶3. (S) Action Request: Request AIT Taipei approach appropriate officials 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 TAIWAN) -- We would like to alert you to a matter of proliferation concern and request your assistance in investigating this activity. -- The U.S. has information that in August 2008, the Iranian company Saameh Company was seeking to procure model JM 528D electrical discharge machining drills from Taiwan's Joemars Machinery and Electrical Industrial Company, Ltd. -- Our information indicates that Saameh Company is coordinating this purchase on behalf of the Shahid Hemmat Industries Group (SHIG),which is responsible for developing Iran's liquid propellant ballistic missile program and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737. -- We are bringing this information to your attention because we believe these drills may be intended to support Iran's ballistic missile development efforts. -- Although not controlled by any of the multilateral export control regimes, the JM 528D electrical discharge machining drill sought by Saameh Company could be used by SHIG to produce fuel injector elements in liquid rocket engines. -- We hope you will investigate this activity and take immediate measures to prevent Iran's SHIG from acquiring this equipment from Joemars Machinery and Electrical Industrial Company. We believe such action would be consistent with UNSCRs 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835. -- We look forward to future cooperation on nonproliferation issues and would appreciate your sharing with us details of any actions you take in response to this activity. 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. ¶6. (U) A word version file of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. RICE NNNN End Cable Text