AIR KORYO FLIGHT: THANKING TURKEY, CENTRAL ASIAN

S E C R E T STATE 056778 E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2033 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC SUBJECT: AIR KORYO FLIGHT: THANKING TURKEY, CENTRAL ASIAN STATES FOR THEIR COOPERATION REF: A. STATE 43804 ¶B. ASTANA 849 ¶C. ANKARA 780 ¶D. ASHGABAT 520 ¶E. BISHKEK 41 Classified By: ISN Acting Assistant Secretary Patricia A. McNerney, Reasons 1.4 b, c, and d ¶1. (S//REL Recipients) ACTION REQUEST: Posts are requested to approach appropriate-level host nation officials and thank them for their cooperation regarding an Air Koryo flight that was scheduled to transit Central Asian and Turkish airspace en route from North Korea to Syria. The aircraft was to transport a possible cargo of missile-related items from North Korea to Syria. (REF A). Posts may draw from background, objectives, and talking points/non-paper below as appropriate. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (S//REL Recipients) Posts should seek to: -- Thank host nations for their cooperation, particularly on short notice. -- Encourage host nations to continue their cooperation with us on possible flights of proliferation concern. -- Urge host nations to remain vigilant for similar overflight requests in the future. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (S//REL Recipients) Since February, Washington has been tracking an Air Koryo charter flight, which has been rescheduled multiple times, from Pyongyang, North Korea to Damascus, Syria. The flight appears to be intended to transport missile-related items from North Korea to Syria. Thanks to cooperative efforts from PSI partner nations in Central Asia, as well as Turkey's standing policy of requiring suspect flights to land for inspection, this flight has been continually delayed. -------------- TALKING POINTS/NON-PAPER: -------------- ¶4. (S//REL Recipients) Begin talking points/non-paper: -- We would like to thank you for your cooperation regarding a recent Air Koryo flight of proliferation concern that was scheduled to transit your airspace. -- According to our information, thanks to your efforts the flight had to be canceled, and the shipment did not take place. -- We believe that your cooperation in this matter has led to a successful outcome. This is exactly the type of cooperation we seek to foster in accordance with the Proliferation Security Initiative. -- We would like to ask for your continued support regarding flights of this nature and urge you to be vigilant for any similar overflight requests in the future. END POINTS. -------------- POINT OF CONTACT AND REPORTING REQUIREMENT -------------- ¶5. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up is Mark Felipe, ISN/CPI, (202) 647-5376, felipem2@state.sgov.gov. ¶6. (U) Please report delivery of points and any immediate response by 5 June. ¶7. (U) Washington thanks posts for assistance. Please slug responses for EUR, ISN, SCA, and T. RICE NNNN End Cable Text