IRAN: IMPLEMENTING THE TRAVEL BAN AND TRAVEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 033674

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2018
TAGS: MNUC KNNP IR UNSC

SUBJECT: IRAN: IMPLEMENTING THE TRAVEL BAN AND TRAVEL
VIGILANCE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN UNSCRS 1737, 1747,
AND 1803

REF: (A)STATE 231829 (2006),(B)STATE 37801 (2007),
(C)STATE 21770, (D)STATE 29096, (E)STATE 29098, (F)STATE
29464

CLASSIFIED BY: ISN -- PATRICIA A. MCNERNEY, REASONS
1.4(B) AND (D)


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 3 for
action.


2. (SBU) OBJECTIVE: To encourage countries to prohibit
the travel of designated Iranian proliferators as
authorized by UNSCRs 1737, 1747, and 1803 and solicit
information on domestic procedures in place to ensure
that designated individuals or those subject to
"vigilance and restraint" are appropriately
vetted/denied entry or transit when attempting to travel
internationally.


3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Posts are requested to meet
with host government interlocutors to highlight the
recently adopted travel-related provisions in UNSCR 1803
(March 3, 2008) and remind officials of their travel-
related obligations under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747. Posts
should strongly encourage swift and full implementation
of these provisions. Drawing from the background
provided in paragraphs 6 and 7, posts should explain
U.S. implementation efforts and highlight the U.S.
commitment to implement a de facto travel ban on all
designated individuals. Posts should seek details about
the status of internal host regulations/implementation
and, provided the country in question is not subject to
the "Visas Mantis" Security Advisory Opinion (SAO)
process (Cuba, Syria, Sudan, China, Taiwan, India,
Pakistan, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Egypt, Israel, Iraq,
Libya, and Venezuela),offer U.S. assistance if
questions arise on the implementation of the travel-
related provisions in UNSCRs 1737, 1747, and 1803.


4. (SBU) BACKGROUND: On 23 December 2006, the UN
Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 1737,
imposing Chapter VII sanctions on Iran in response to
its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment-related
and reprocessing activities, including research and
development, and to take the steps required by the IAEA
Board of Governors. Due to Iran's continued failure to
comply with the Council's demands, the Council adopted
two additional resolutions imposing Chapter VII
sanctions on Iran - UNSCRs 1747 (March 2007) and 1803
(March 2008). Texts of the UNSCRs and their annexes may
be found in REFTELs or the UN Security Council's webpage
at http://www.un.org/Docs/sc.


5. (U) BACKGROUND CONT: All three resolutions contain
provisions regarding the travel of designated Iranian
individuals. UNSCR 1737 calls for states to exercise
vigilance in permitting 19 designated individuals. UNSCR
1747 strenghened this provision by establishing a call
for "restraint" in addition to "vigilance" and
designated an additional 15 individuals. UNSCR 1803
calls for vigilance and restraint for an additional 13
individuals, but in operative paragraph 5 goes further
by imposing an outright travel ban on 5 individuals
designated in a separate annex to the resolution (Annex
II). Overall, through the adoption of UNSCRs 1737,
1747, and 1803, the Council has called for states to
"exercise vigilance and restraint" in permitting travel
for a total of 35 designated individuals and bans
international travel for 5 designated individuals. The
Council also requires that, should a state permit an
individual subject to "vigilance and restraint" to enter
into or transit through its territory, the state must
notify the UNSC Iran Sanctions Committee.


6. (C) BACKGROUND CONT: The Council selected the
designated individuals on the basis of their involvement
with activities of serious proliferation concern. In
some cases, these individuals are responsible for
aspects of Iran's nuclear program that the UNSC has
required Iran to suspend. In other cases, the
individuals in question have assisted with Iranian
efforts to evade international sanctions to acquire
proliferation-sensitive technology in furtherance of
Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Continued
international travel by these individuals risks
contributing to Iran's proliferation behavior.
Generally, permitting designated individuals to continue
to travel risks underming the intent of the UNSC
sanctions aimed to isolate and increase pressure on the
Iranian regime to comply with its obligations.
Consequently, the United States wishes to urge all
states to implement the call for "vigilance and
restraint" as a de facto travel ban on all individuals
designated by the UNSC in UNSCRs 1737, 1747, and 1803.


7. (SBU) BACKGROUND CONT: With regard to implementation
of these provisions, the U.S. Department of State
employs special clearance procedures under the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by conducting
security reviews of visa applicants who are considered
to be national security risks. Individuals designated
under UNSCRs 1737, 1747, and 1803 are considered to
present such a risk. Consequently, any visa requests
for travel to or through the United States by
individuals designated in UNSCRs 1737, 1747 or 1803 for
travel to or through the United States may likely be
denied. The United States stands ready to answer
questions from host government's relevant agencies and
offices charged with implementing these requirements
and, for those countries not subject to "Visas Mantis,"
with assisting them to meet their obligations.


8. (SBU) NOTE: Since there will be several cables from
Washington in the coming weeks intended to ensure the
robust implementation of UNSCR 1803 (e.g., REFs D-F),
Washington defers to Posts as to whether these
instructions should be delivered as a single package or
separately.


9. (U) Posts are requested to report host government
responses by 11 April 2008. Please slug replies to ISN.
ISN/RA's Risa Mongiello will serve as POC and can be
reached at 202-647-6599 or mongiellorn@state.sgov.gov.


10. (U) Minimize considered.
RICE


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