MALAYSIAN FIRM SUPPLYING GERMAN-ORIGIN TEST

S E C R E T STATE 090515

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2033
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MTCRE KSCA GM IR ML SN
SUBJECT: MALAYSIAN FIRM SUPPLYING GERMAN-ORIGIN TEST
CHAMBERS TO IRANIAN PROCUREMENT AGENT (S)

Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D).


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see
paragraph 3.


2. (S) Background/Objectives: The United States has
information indicating that a Malaysian firm has been
working to acquire German-origin test chambers on
behalf of Amin Ravan, an Iranian procurement agent.
The Malaysian entity, Toshi Electronics, has already
sold at least one Weiss Umwelttechnik (WUT) chamber to
Ravan, and as of early July was in the process of
supplying Ravan with two VT7004 test chambers
manufactured by Voetsch Industrietechnik. These types
of test chambers, while not controlled, can be used by
missile developers to subject missile components to the
extreme environmental conditions during a ballistic
missile's flight. Ravan is associated with the
Singaporean company CoreZing, a firm which has sought
materials on behalf of Iran Integrated Electrics
Industries and the Aerospace Industries Organization
(AIO - the umbrella organization and key procurement
center for all Iranian industries responsible for
developing and manufacturing missiles). In its
attempts to procure the VT7004 chambers from Voetsch,
Toshi appeared to be working with the Malaysian
intermediary Centriforce, and has falsely advised
Centriforce that the equipment will be used in Malaysia
rather than Iran. We do not have any information on
the specific identity of the intended end-user of the
Voetsch equipment, but given Ravan and CoreZing's
procurement history, we are concerned that it could be
an entity of proliferation concern. We therefore want
to bring this information to the attention of German
officials, and request that they investigate and take
measures to prevent Voetsch and Weiss Umwelttechnik
from any further supply of their products to Iranian
end-users of proliferation concern.


3. (S) Action Request: Department requests Embassy
Berlin approach appropriate host government officials
to deliver talking points in paragraph 4. Talking
points can be left as a non-paper.


4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:

(SECRET//REL GERMANY)

-- In the spirit of our nonproliferation cooperation,
we would like to raise with you a matter of
proliferation concern and request your government's
assistance in investigating this activity.

-- We have information indicating that a Malaysian firm
has recently been active in procuring German-origin
test chambers on behalf of an Iranian procurement
agent.

-- Specifically, we understand that as of June 2008,
the Malaysian firm Toshi Electric supplied an
unspecified chamber manufactured by Weiss Umwelttechnik
(WUT) GmbH to Amin Ravan in Iran.

-- We also understand WUT was preparing to send
spare parts to Toshi.

-- We do not know the identity of the ultimate end-
user, but Amin Ravan is associated with the Singapore-
based entity CoreZing, which has sought materials on
behalf of Iran Integrated Electronics Industries and
the Iran Aerospace Industries Organization.

-- The EU in June 2008 added Iran's Aerospace
Industries Organization (AIO) and Iran Electronics
Industries to its list of sanctioned Iranian entities.
AIO is the umbrella organization and key procurement
center for all Iranian industries responsible for
developing and manufacturing missiles.

-- In addition, we have information that in early July,
Ravan provided a purchase order to Toshi for two VT7004
test chambers manufactured by Voetsch Industrietechnik
GmbH.

-- While these test chambers are not MTCR-controlled,
they could be used to test thermal responses for
missile guidance components such as gyroscopes and
accelerometers.

-- We do not believe that Toshi is conducting business
directly with Voetsch. Rather, Toshi appears to be
working with another Malaysian supplier, Centriforce
Instruments Sdn Bhd.

-- We understand that Toshi falsely advised Centriforce
that the units would be used in Malaysia as opposed to
Iran.

-- Although the intended Iranian end-user of the
Voetsch equipment is unknown, it is likely the same as
the one that received the WUT chamber from Toshi.

-- We urge you to investigate this information and to
take measures to prevent Voetsch and Weiss
Umwelttechnik from any further supply of their products
to potential entities of proliferation concern.

-- We look forward to future cooperation on
nonproliferation matters and would appreciate hearing
any updates on the progress of your investigation of
this case.


5. (U) Please contact ISN/MTR's John Paul Herrmann
with any questions or follow-up related to this case
(202-647-1430 - herrmannjp2@state.gov or
herrmannjp@state.sgov.gov) and slug reporting on this
issue for ISN/MTR, EUR/CE and EUR/PRA.


6. (U) A Word version file of this document will be
posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.
RICE