P3 MEETING ON ACTION PLAN FOR IRAN

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 083136 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2033 TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP EFIN SUBJECT: P3 MEETING ON ACTION PLAN FOR IRAN Classified By: Classified By: ISN PATRICIA A. MCNERNEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) ISN Acting Assistant Secretary Patricia McNerney and Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crime Daniel Glaser on July 25 met with UK and French counterparts in Paris to discuss individual and collective P3 actions in the event Iran rejects the updated version of the P5 1 June 2008 package of incentives offered on June 14, 2008. The P3 agreed to prepare a menu of options for approval by P3 plus Germany Political Directors in September. For the first time, French and UK officials identified legal authorities that may be available for sanctions outside the UE context. The menu of options will include steps against Iran in the banking, insurance and shipbuilding sectors, as well as efforts to lobby countries against increasing Iran's dwindling uranium supply. Discussion also covered efforts to ensure consensus on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) Guidance paper on UNSCR 1803 Implementation at upcoming FATF meetings in September and October . In addition, the P3 agreed to pursue a FATF statement that calls for countries to take countermeasures against Iran due to its lack of anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing controls, and to pursue a G7 statement on implementation of the FATF call for countermeasures. -------------- UNSCR 1803 Implementation -------------- ¶2. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The EU offered an update on the then-pending adoption of the Common Position to implement UNSCR 1803. Four key areas in the Common Position include restrictions on export credits and financial assistance, an embargo of dual-use items, enhanced vigilance on Iranian banks, and stricter oversight of shipments to and from Iran that involve the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and Iran Air Cargo. Among the financial measures being considered are enhanced reporting requirements for banks and monitoring of accounts. (Note: On July 29, the French Presidency brokered a deal to gain adoption of the Common Position among EU-27 Permanent Representatives, but it will not become legally binding until a two-week Silence Procedure is completed and the Position is published as EU regulations, most likely to occur in September. End note.) 
¶3. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The P3 discussed the recently circulated draft FATF guidance to countries on measures to implement UNSCR 1803. (Note: FATF previously published Guidance on the Implementation of asset freeze and activity based prohibitions in UNSCRs 1737 and 1747. End Note.) The UK and France noted that the FATF draft guidance was relatively consistent with the expected EU regulations on implementation of UNSCR 1803. The UK noted that FATF guidance would provide a measure of political cover to countries that want to take action against Iran. The P3 agreed it would be important for the G7 to resolve any differences on language prior to the FATF Intersessional in Ottawa to ensure smooth adoption of the guidance. (Note: The draft guidance will be discussed by FATF members in Ottawa on September 16-17 in hopes of adopting the document at the FATF Plenary in October. End Note.) France agreed to organize a meeting with the UK, Germany and Italy before the Ottawa intersessional to discuss the draft guidance and potential countermeasures on Iran (see below). The U.S. agreed to reach out to Canada and Japan. -------------- Bank Melli and Bank Sepah -------------- ¶4. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The U.S. reiterated a request for the UK and France to shut down Bank Sepah and Bank Melli branches or subsidiaries in their jurisdictions. (Note: Bank Sepah has a subsidiary in London, Bank Sepah International Plc., and has a branch in Paris. Bank Melli has a subsidiary in London, Melli Bank PLC, the UK has jurisdiction over a branch of Melli Bank PLC named Bank Melli and located in Hong Kong, and Bank Melli has a branch in Paris. End Note.) The U.S. side noted that the shut down of even one Iranian bank would send a signal for stronger action by others, and that STATE 00083136 002 OF 004 other countries often point to the lack of action in London to justify their own inaction on the banks. The UK and France revealed for the first time that they have current national security-related authorities that would allow them to revoke the banks' banking licenses, but stressed that use of these authorities would require a decision at a high level. However, France's Martin Briens, with support from the U.S., ins isted that the use of such authorities must be reserved as an option for the Political Directors to consider. The UK and French officials promised to raise with Germany the issue of whether Germany had a similar national authority that would allow it to shut down a bank or revoke its license. Additionally, the UK noted that it is preparing legislation relating to banking references, which could provide an opportunity to seek additional authorities. ¶5. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The UK noted that Bank Melli is suing the European Union and has asked for a suspension of the sanctions against it. The UK and France are working together to help make case against suspension of the sanctions, and noted that a win for Bank Melli in this case would have far reaching effects. The UK noted that it may seek additional information from the U.S. for the case, and the U.S. offered to undertake efforts to provide the UK and France with that information. -------------- NEW TRENDS IN IRANIAN BANKING -------------- ¶6. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) Treasury DAS Danny Glaser provided an overview of new tactics Iran is using to minimize the impact of sanctions and reconstitute and expand its financial network. Glaser provided examples of new joint banking ventures involving Iranian banks and Iranian bank branches opening in countries such as the Netherlands. In addition, Glaser shared information about Iranian deceptive financial practices that could assist Bank Sepah in circumventing Security Council sanctions. The UK and France responded that the Common Position widens the scope of institutions considered Iranian banks for the purposes of implementing UNSCR 1803, to include joint ventures located outside the EU. The group agreed that the discussion of Iran's sanctions evasion tactics should be incorporated into a coordinated message for outreach to other countries. ¶7. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) P3 members agreed that the expansion of Iran's financial network should be stopped, and that Iran's sanctions evasion techniques taint its entire banking system and put financial institutions who do business with Iranian banks at risk. France suggested, and the U.S. and UK agreed, that the P3 should develop a common script on these Iranian banking activities as a basis for a demarche to other countries on this issue, and approach specific countries when specific information becomes available. -------------- FATF COUNTERMEASURES -------------- ¶8. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The FATF's International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) continues to assess the situation of Iran's lack of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) controls. FATF has issued two statements in the past year on the risks posed to the international financial system by deficiencies in Iran's AML/CFT regime. In light of the lack of progress by Iran towards establishing an AML/CFT regime, it is likely that FATF will call for countermeasures against Iran in October. While there is likely to be some debate at FATF about whether a common set of countermeasures are imposed by FATF members, the U.S. favors agreeing to broadly define the countermeasures allowing states to take stronger actions individually. Glaser informed the group that Iran has invited an IMF team to Tehran in August to provide technical assistance in drafting new AML/CFT regulations. Glaser noted, and all agreed, that obtaining a statement on Iran at the FATF Plenary in October will be very difficult if Iran is successful in promulgating such regulations. The P3 agreed such a visit would only allow Iran to avoid repercussions for its continuing lack of AML/CFT controls, and all agreed to pursue the issue through their respective executive directors to the IMF. ¶9. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) Glaser noted that an additional, complementary method of increasing pressure on Iran would be to have the G7 issue a statement endorsing the FATF statement on countermeasures, which could also outline the countermeasures G7 countries would take to implement the FATF STATE 00083136 003 OF 004 call for countermeasures. UK and French officials agreed the idea should be pursued, and agreed to discuss it with Germany and Italy in an early September meeting hosted by France. The US agreed to approach Canada regarding the issue, and noted that the G7 would have a chance to meet on the margins of the Ottawa Intersessional in mid-September. -------------- TARGETING INSURANCE AND SHIPPING -------------- ¶10. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) ISN Acting A/S McNerney, gave an overview on the U.S. strategy to target the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL),including efforts against IRISL's shipbuilding capability and the possibility of asking countries to drop or refuse to allow IRISL to register its ships under their flag. One area of particular interest was to approach companies that provide insurance for IRISL vessels. Treasury DAS Glaser provided information that two P&I Clubs in the UK are involved with insuring IRISL vessels. Glaser also noted that another area for pressure was the reinsurance market, which consists of a limited number of reinsurance companies/providers and involves insurance provided for industries beyond shipping, including potentially infrastructure and other large-scale projects within Iran. ¶11. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) France and the UK agreed that developing an insurance strategy could reap significant benefits, and that the reinsurance sector was particularly important. France noted that a focus of the strategy should be the Iran Insurance Company, which is Iran's major insurance provider and which was authorized to insure shipments for Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO), and entity designated in UNSCR 1737. The UK reported that it had already begun to gather information on insurance issues, including maritime insurance and reinsurance. The French Finance Ministry reported that within the previous week it had warned French insurance companies about the risks of doing business with Iran and their obligations under UNSCR 1737 and 1747. ¶12. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The group agreed to develop a common set of points for an approach to the insurance and reinsurance industry to convey the risks of doing business with Iranian entities and to remind them of the sanctions and other financial obligations under UNSCRs 1737, 1747 and 1803. The group further agreed that insurance should be discussed at the Political Directors meeting in September, and the U.S. agreed to develop a nonpaper on the issue. -------------- OECD -------------- ¶13. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) France suggested that the group should explore the possibility of a downgrade in the OECD's country risk rating for Iran. All agreed that this is an issue to be explored, and the U.S. stated that it would be prepared to brief the OECD and other expert agencies that determine country ratings if it would be helpful in this effort. -------------- DUAL USE / YELLOWCAKE ISSUES -------------- ¶14. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) ISN Acting A/S McNerney noted that Iran's existing supply of uranium from South Africa is dwindling. McNerney offered the suggestion for P3 members to coordinate outreach to African countries where Iran may be pursuing deals for uranium. UK and French officials agreed and noted that P3 members should come up with a common list, and have individual countries conduct outreach to those countries depending on who has the best relationship. ¶15. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) ISN Acting A/S McNerney noted that the transfer of dual-use items is prohibited under relevant UNSCRs, but in reality is still common practice and further outreach is needed to key countries of concern. The UK noted that Pakistan, the UAE, Malaysia and China were the countries under consideration for outreach next year by the EU. ¶16. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The UK noted its effort to identify key technologies made by Western producers that Iran needs for LNG or refining purposes, such as catalytic converters. France indicated this would be an area for discussion among the options presented to the Political Directors in September. STATE 00083136 004 OF 004 -------------- DIPLOMATIC APPROACHES -------------- ¶17. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The P3 agreed that South Korea and Japan were following through on commitments, but were too openly friendly to Iran due to strong economic relations and should be urged to present a public response to Iran in keeping with the consensus of the international community. Acting A/S McNerney noted concern over Russia's continued attempts to sell defensive equipment to Iran, and noted China was still active in many areas with Iran. McNerney also noted that Iran is using military sales to Africa to develop new relationships that could eventually lead to new banking relationships or sales of uranium. -------------- OTHER ISSUES -------------- ¶18. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The P3 agreed that arms sales to Africa in violation of UNSCRs should be raised at the UN Iran Sanctions Committee. It was noted that the two U.S. briefings for the Committee on transfer of dual-use items and Iran's deceptive financial practices had been postponed until September. ¶19. (S/REL UK AND FRANCE) The P3 agreed that the next resolution should build upon and strengthen the provisions of previous Iran-related resolutions, should include an additional list of entities and individuals for an asset freeze, and should contain at least two new areas of emphasis: designation of another Iranian bank, possibly the Export Development Bank of Iran, and clarification of the insurance-related provisions of Iran-related UNSCRs. -------------- POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶20. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up information is Jennifer Chalmers, ISN/CPI, (202) 647-9715, CHALMERSJA@STATE.SGOV.GOV. ¶21. (U) Department thanks Posts for their assistance. RICE