(S) POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF HELICOPTER PARTS TO IRAN

S E C R E T STATE 061421 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2033 TAGS: ETTC MASS PREL IT SZ IR SUBJECT: (S) POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF HELICOPTER PARTS TO IRAN Classified By: EUR PRA Office Director Anita Friedt, Reason 1.4 (c) and (d). ¶1. (S) Summary: The U.S. has information indicating that the Rome based office of a Swiss firm has been providing Iran with U.S.-origin helicopter parts. Such transfers may be in violation of the company's obligations to the United States and could result in the imposition of sanctions or the commencement of law enforcement action. End Summary. ¶2. (S) Objectives: We want to alert appropriate host government officials that a Swiss company is providing helicopter parts to Iran and urge Swiss and Italian authorities to investigate this activity and use all appropriate measures to stop this activity. ¶3. (S) Action Request: Department requests Embassy Rome and Bern approach appropriate host government officials to deliver talking points in paragraph 4 below and report response. Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper. ¶4. Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET REL ITALY AND SWITZERLAND) -- We would appreciate your assistance in investigating a matter of potential proliferation concern. -- We have information that since November 2007, the Rome, Italy office of the Switzerland-based firm Maya Overseas SA has made at least four shipments to Iran of parts for Italian-produced, U.S.-origin Agusta-Bell AB-212 and AB-412 helicopters to the Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (IHSRC). -- We understand that Maya Overseas SA has attempted to disguise the intended end-user of these parts by shipping some of them to Iran through the Malaysia-based Iranian front company Microset Systems Sdn Bhd. -- We also have information that Maya Overseas SA is also attempting to sell to Iran eleven Italian-produced, U.S.-origin Agusta-Bell AB-212 and AB-412 helicopters and related engines and parts. -- The re-export or retransfer of U.S.-origin defense articles without specific U.S. authorization may constitute a violation of the obligations of Maya Overseas SA pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and potentially the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Additionally, the U.S. strictly proscribes the export of United States Munitions List (USML) defense articles and defense services to Iran. Unauthorized re-exports or retransfers could result in law enforcement action against the companies involved. -- Washington appreciates the strong nonproliferation relationship it shares with (name of host government),and looks forward to working together to address this issue. -------------- Background -------------- ¶5. (S) Iran continues to seek parts for its military equipment. The U.S. strictly controls the export of goods to Iran and prohibits the export of military (and other) items to Iran. The re-export or retransfer of defense articles such as parts for military aircraft without USG authorization may constitute a violation of obligations undertaken pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Additionally, the U.S. also strictly prohibits the export or re-export from the U.S. of any goods to Iran without prior authorization. According to the Department's licensing information, there is no record of Maya Overseas receiving any ITAR-controlled items. Although it is possible similar AB-212 and AB-412 helicopter parts were exported to Agusta-Bell (the aircraft's manufacturer) in Italy under a commercial distribution agreement licensed by the Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC),it remains unclear how Maya Overseas obtained the AB-212 and AB-412 parts in question. -------------- Reporting Requirements and POC -------------- ¶6. (U) Please report delivery of this demarche and any initial response by June 20. ¶7. (U) Department POC is Margaret T. Mitchell, ISN/CATR, 202-647-2433. Please slug all replies to ISN, EUR, PM/DDTC and NEA. RICE NNNN End Cable Text