PROVIDING THE GOF WITH NEW INFORMATION ON

S E C R E T STATE 067404 E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2033 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MTCRE KSCA IR FI SUBJECT: PROVIDING THE GOF WITH NEW INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE COOPERATION BETWEEN FINNISH COMPANY AND IRANIAN UAV PROGRAM REF: A. 06 STATE 182797 ¶B. 07 STATE 164860 ¶C. STATE 38873 ¶D. THOME-JONES E-MAIL 14 MAY 08 Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO. REASON 1.4 (C). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Helsinki, please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) On several occasions since 2006, we have raised our concerns with the government of Finland regarding the Finnish firm Vaisala Oy acting as a supplier to Iranian entities of concern (Refs). In late 2007, we advised GOF officials that as of mid-September 2007, Vaisala Oy had plans to sell MAWS100 weather stations to Fan Pardazan. We also reminded our Finnish interlocutors of information we shared with MTCR Partners in February 2006 indicating that Fan Pardazan may be affiliated with the Iranian UAV entity Qods Aeronautics Industries, a UNSCR-1747 designated entity. Finnish officials indicated that the language the USG used to characterize Vaisala's activity was "too vague to permit the opening of an investigation, and hoped we could offer more specific information on the activity" (Ref D). ¶3. (S) Objectives: We now want to share new information with the GOF regarding Fan Pardazan's relationship with Qods Aeronautics Industries. Specifically, we want to advise Finnish authorities that Fan Pardazan and Qods share the same mailing address in Tehran. We hope this information will encourage the GOF to investigate and take measures to prevent Vaisala Oy from acting - even unwittingly - as a source of supply to Iranian entities of concern. ¶4. (U) Action Request: Department requests Embassy Helsinki approach appropriate host government officials to deliver the talking points in Paragraph 5 and report response. Talking points may be left as a non-paper. ¶5. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET//REL FINLAND) -- In the spirit of our nonproliferation partnership, we would like to discuss a matter of proliferation concern. -- In December 2007, we advised you that the Finnish firm Vaisala Oy was planning to sell MAWS100 weather stations to Iran's Fan Pardazan and that Fan Pardazan may have been using the name TEM Company in an effort to procure the items. -- We also indicated that Fan Pardazan may be affiliated with the Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) entity, Qods (or Ghoods) Aviation (or Aeronautics) Industries (also known as Qods (Ghoods) Research Center). -- Qods Aeronautics Industries is designated in Annex I of UNSCR 1747 as an entity associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). -- We understand that your government is considering opening an investigation of this case and has asked for information that establishes a solid link between Fan Pardazan and Qods Aeronautics Industries. -- We now want to share with you additional information concerning the relationship between Fan Pardazan and Qods. -- Specifically, Fan Pardazan and Qods Aeronautics Industries share the same mailing address in Tehran: P.O. Box 15875-1834, Tehran, Iran. -- We hope this information addresses your concerns, and that it proves useful in supporting your export control efforts and preventing entities in Finland from engaging in business dealings that may violate UNSCR 1747. -- We look forward to hearing the results of your inquiries and to continued cooperation on nonproliferation issues. END TALKING POINTS. ¶6. (U) Please contact ISN/MTR's Sarah Beane with any questions or follow-up related to this case (202-647-4019 - beanesa@state.sgov.gov) and slug reporting on this issue for ISN/MTR and EUR/PRA. ¶7. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. RICE NNNN End Cable Text