Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE92637
2008-08-28 18:53:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

PROVIDING BELGIUM ADDITIONAL INFO ON MALAYSIAN

Tags:  PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC BE IR MY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2637 2411856
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 281853Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0000
INFO RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0000
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T STATE 092637 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC BE IR MY
SUBJECT: PROVIDING BELGIUM ADDITIONAL INFO ON MALAYSIAN
FIRM'S EFFORTS TO PURCHASE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS ON
BEHALF OF IRANIAN END-USER (S)

REF: A. STATE 77529

B. BRUSSELS 1129

Classified By: ACTING ISN/MTR DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO FOR
REASONS 1.5 (B),(C),AND (D).

S E C R E T STATE 092637

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC BE IR MY
SUBJECT: PROVIDING BELGIUM ADDITIONAL INFO ON MALAYSIAN
FIRM'S EFFORTS TO PURCHASE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS ON
BEHALF OF IRANIAN END-USER (S)

REF: A. STATE 77529

B. BRUSSELS 1129

Classified By: ACTING ISN/MTR DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO FOR
REASONS 1.5 (B),(C),AND (D).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Brussels,
please see paragraph 4.


2. (S) Background/Objective: In late July 2008, we
advised Belgian officials of information indicating
that as of June, the Malaysian-based firm Evertop
Services Sdn Bhd sought A9910 advanced data acquisition
systems for earth observation satellites from a
Belgian-based office of Thales Alenia Space on behalf
of an unknown Iranian end-user (Ref A). We also
explained that while Evertop is located in Malaysia, it
is an Iranian-run procurement firm that supplies
Iranian entities of proliferation concern with
sensitive dual-use goods. Belgian authorities
responded by saying that they already consider firms or
possible "front companies" based in Malaysia as high
risk, and that Belgian customs officials have a
standing alert to closely inspect any potential
shipments of dual-use items to those companies (Ref B).


3. (S) We now have additional information related to
this potential transaction. Specifically, we
understand that in late July, Evertop submitted a
purchase order to Thales for five A9910 ONMNISAT
platforms and spare parts. Thales appears to have
agreed to sell this equipment to Evertop for 435,688
euros, although we do not have any information
identifying a shipping date. Nor do we have any
knowledge that Thales is aware of Evertop's affiliation
with Iranian entities of proliferation concern. We
want to share this information with Belgian officials,
and request that they take steps to prevent Thales from
acting as a supplier to Evertop.


4. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Brussels
approach appropriate host government officials to
deliver talking points/non-paper in paragraph 5 and
report response. Talking points also may be provided
as a non-paper.


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

(SECRET//REL BELGIUM)

-- 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 recently provided you information indicating that
as of June 2008, the Malaysian-based firm Evertop
Services Sdn Bhd sought A9910 advanced data acquisition
systems for earth observation satellites from a
Belgian-based office of Thales Alenia Space on behalf
of an unknown Iranian end-user.

-- As we noted previously, the A9910 is used in ground
stations for the acquisition of imagery data from
satellites or potentially unmanned aerial vehicles.

-- We also advised you that Evertop - although based in
Malaysia - is an Iranian-run procurement firm that has
facilitated many transactions on behalf of Iranian end-
users of concern, including entities listed in the
Annex to UNSCRs 1737 and 1747, such as the Shahid
Hemmat Industrial Group (Iran's primary liquid-fueled
ballistic missile developer) as well as entities
affiliated with Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle program.

-- We are pleased to know that Belgian authorities
consider possible front companies based in Malaysia as
high risk and that Belgian customs officials have a
standing alert to closely inspect potential dual-use
items bound for those companies.

-- To assist your investigation of this matter, we now
want to share additional information related to
Evertop's efforts to procure the A9910 system from
Thales.

-- Specifically, we understand that in late July,
Evertop submitted a purchase order to Thales for five
A9910 OMNISAT platforms and spare parts.

-- Evertop's purchase order was dated 22 July and was
in the amount of 435,688 euros.

-- Thales appears to have agreed to deliver the items
to Evertop, although we are not aware of a scheduled
shipping date.

-- We do not have any information indicating that
Thales is aware of Evertop's affiliation with Iranian
end-users of concern.

-- We appreciate your cooperation on this and other
nonproliferation matters, and urge you to take all
appropriate measures to ensure that Thales is not
acting as a supplier to Evertop or other entities of
proliferation concern.

-- We look forward to hearing of any actions your
government takes in response to this information.

End talking points/non-paper


6. (U) Please contact ISN/MTR's John Paul Herrmann
with any questions or follow-up issues related to
this case (202-647-1430 - herrmannjp@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