Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE61421
2008-06-06 21:23:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:
(S) POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF HELICOPTER PARTS TO IRAN
how-toO P 062123Z JUN 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BERN IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE INFO AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY
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).
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
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