Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE44906
2008-04-29 00:56:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

SHIPMENT OF NORTH KOREAN PARTS WITH MISSILE

Tags:  KNNP PARM PREL MNUC CH KN SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
O 290056Z APR 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T STATE 044906 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2033
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC CH KN SY

SUBJECT: SHIPMENT OF NORTH KOREAN PARTS WITH MISSILE
APPLICATIONS FROM CHINA TO SYRIA (S)

Classified By: ISN/CPI Director Philip A. Foley for
Reasons 1.4 b, c, and d

S E C R E T STATE 044906

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2033
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC CH KN SY

SUBJECT: SHIPMENT OF NORTH KOREAN PARTS WITH MISSILE
APPLICATIONS FROM CHINA TO SYRIA (S)

Classified By: ISN/CPI Director Philip A. Foley for
Reasons 1.4 b, c, and d


1. (S) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to approach
Chinese officials at an appropriate level regarding a cargo
of North Korean electronic relays possibly trans-shipping
through Chinese ports en route to Syria. Post may draw from
objectives, background, and non-paper below as appropriate.

--------------
OBJECTIVES
--------------


2. (S/REL China) Post should:

-- Provide information below to Chinese officials regarding a
cargo of electronic relays of North Korean origin with
possible ballistic missile applications.

-- Request that Chinese officials take steps to investigate
and prevent this transfer.

-- Request that Chinese officials share with us the results
of their investigation.

-- Note that, based on our understanding of the goods, the
items may constitute spare parts or other related materiel of
missiles or missile systems as defined for the purposes of
the UN Register on Conventional Arms and, as such, would be
captured by paragraph 8(a)(i) of United Nations Security
Council resolution (UNSCR) 1718 (2006). If the items do meet
this standard, paragraph 8(b) of UNSCR 1718, would require
the DPRK to cease the export of such items and would require
all UN Member States to prohibit the procurement of such
items from the DPRK by their nationals or using their flag
vessels or aircraft.

-- In addition, in accordance with paragraph 8 (f) of UNSCR
1718, UN Member States are called upon to take, in accordance
with their national authorities and legislation and
consistent with international law, cooperative action,
including through inspection of cargo to and from the DPRK,
as necessary, to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear,
chemical, or biological weapons, their means of delivery, and
related materials.

--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------


3. (S/REL China) We have received information that a cargo
of electronic relays with possible ballistic missile

applications had been shipped to the port of Dalian, China
from Nampo, DPRK, in February 2008. The material was then
transported from Dalian to Ningbo, China, for delivery to
Syria by the end of April 2008. The cargo in question
consists of 8Eh18 and 8v6K electrical relays, which are used
to transfer power from a SCUD missile's battery to various
subsystems, and to arm the missile's warhead. It also
contains chromium-nickel-titanium alloy steel, which can be
used in Scud missile engines.

--------------
NON-PAPER
--------------


4. (S/REL China) Begin non-paper:

-- In the spirit of our nonproliferation cooperation, we
would like to bring to your attention a shipment of materials
with ballistic missile applications that is scheduled to
depart from the Port of Ningbo to Syria.

-- Our information indicates that these items were originally
shipped to the port of Dalian from Nampo, DPRK, in February

2008.

-- The material was then transported from Dalian to Ningbo,
China, in early April. According to our information, the
cargo is loaded into 20-foot container number CCLU3213085,
with seal number 41068-G, under bill of lading number
8DLCLTK2G0359.

-- Our information indicates that this container departed
Dalian on April 1 on board the Liberian-flagged vessel M/V
CSCL SEATTLE, and was off-loaded at Ningbo on April 5. The
discharge port for this cargo was designated as Latakia,
Syria.

-- According to our information, the cargo in question
consists of 8Eh18 and 8V6K electrical relays. These relays
are used in SCUD missiles to distribute power from the
missile's battery to the missile's various subsystems, and to
arm the missile's warhead. The cargo also contains
chromium-nickel-titanium alloy steel, which can be used in
SCUD missile engines.

-- These missile parts were originally shipped from North
Korea and are capable of making a material contribution to
Syria's ballistic missile program. Based on our
understanding of the goods, the items may constitute spare
parts or other related material of missiles or missile
systems as defined for the purposes of the UN Register on
Conventional Arms and, as such, they would be captured by
paragraph 8(a)(i) of UNSCR 1718.

-- If the items are captured under UNSCR 1718, paragraph 8(b)
would require the DPRK to cease the export of such items and
would require all UN Member States to prohibit the
procurement of such items from the DPRK by their nationals or
using their flag vessels or aircraft.

-- Given the possibility that this container could depart
imminently, we request that you urgently investigate this
transfer and take steps to prevent this cargo from transiting
onward to Syria.

-- We look forward to hearing the results of your
investigation.

End non-paper.


5. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up is Mark
Felipe, 202-647-5376, felipem2@state.sgov.gov.


6. (U) Please slug all responses for ISN, T, and EAP.
Washington appreciates Post's assistance.
RICE


NNNN




End Cable Text