Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM772
2008-11-18 07:35:00
SECRET
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDES TO TRANSFER THREE BELL HELICOPTERS TO SPAIN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSM #0772 3230735 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 180735Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3904 INFO RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 2193 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000772
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC MCAP PARM KOMC IR SW SP
SUBJECT: SWEDES TO TRANSFER THREE BELL HELICOPTERS TO SPAIN
REF: A. KOEHLER-PEARTREE TELCON 11/17/08
B. STOCKHOLM 744
C. STOCKHOLM 609 AND PREVIOUS
D. STATE 92567
E. 06 STOCKHOLM 243
Classified By: DCM Robert J. Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000772
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC MCAP PARM KOMC IR SW SP
SUBJECT: SWEDES TO TRANSFER THREE BELL HELICOPTERS TO SPAIN
REF: A. KOEHLER-PEARTREE TELCON 11/17/08
B. STOCKHOLM 744
C. STOCKHOLM 609 AND PREVIOUS
D. STATE 92567
E. 06 STOCKHOLM 243
Classified By: DCM Robert J. Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Summary: A Swedish firm in possession of three Bell
212 helicopters plans to transfer the helicopters to Spain
tomorrow, November 18, without obtaining export authorization
from the USG. Sweden's Inspectorate for Strategic Products
say they lack any legal basis to stop the transfer. There
are reasons to suspect that the helicopters or their
components could be re-exported from Spain to Iran. Please
see action request in para 5. End Summary.
2. (S) On November 14, Jan-Erik Lovgren, Deputy Director, the
Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP),told
Econoff that the Head of European Helicopter Services (EHS),
Mrs. Helena Pariza, informed him that she intends to transfer
the three Bell 212 helicopters that are the subjects of
reftels to Spain on Tuesday, November 18. He added that
under Swedish legislation the three helicopters are not
considered military equipment and therefore do not require
export licenses. Lovgren commented that because the proposed
transfer will be to Spain, another EU state, the Swedish
Customs Authority will not get involved.
3. (S) POL Counselor contacted Lovgren on November 17 to
remind him that EHS must seek written authorization from the
USG before exporting the helicopters. Recalling earlier
reports that several Iranian nationals had visited Sweden and
inspected the helicopters, he reiterated concerns that once
the helicopters have been decommissioned, key components
could be re-exported to Iran. Lovgren did not disagree, but
claimed that he was powerless under Swedish law to take any
steps to block the transfer.
4. (S) Separately, Lovgren informed us by email that Mr.
Arnie Sundquist, whose company is responsible for storing the
helicopters in Sweden, is currently abroad and expects to
return to Sweden November 18. Sundquist reportedly
instructed the airport where the helicopters are stored
not/not "to open the gates" until he has returned.
5. (S) Action request: Per Ref A, Post requests Department
guidance for use with ISP and EHS, as appropriate.
WOOD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: ETRD ETTC MCAP PARM KOMC IR SW SP
SUBJECT: SWEDES TO TRANSFER THREE BELL HELICOPTERS TO SPAIN
REF: A. KOEHLER-PEARTREE TELCON 11/17/08
B. STOCKHOLM 744
C. STOCKHOLM 609 AND PREVIOUS
D. STATE 92567
E. 06 STOCKHOLM 243
Classified By: DCM Robert J. Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Summary: A Swedish firm in possession of three Bell
212 helicopters plans to transfer the helicopters to Spain
tomorrow, November 18, without obtaining export authorization
from the USG. Sweden's Inspectorate for Strategic Products
say they lack any legal basis to stop the transfer. There
are reasons to suspect that the helicopters or their
components could be re-exported from Spain to Iran. Please
see action request in para 5. End Summary.
2. (S) On November 14, Jan-Erik Lovgren, Deputy Director, the
Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP),told
Econoff that the Head of European Helicopter Services (EHS),
Mrs. Helena Pariza, informed him that she intends to transfer
the three Bell 212 helicopters that are the subjects of
reftels to Spain on Tuesday, November 18. He added that
under Swedish legislation the three helicopters are not
considered military equipment and therefore do not require
export licenses. Lovgren commented that because the proposed
transfer will be to Spain, another EU state, the Swedish
Customs Authority will not get involved.
3. (S) POL Counselor contacted Lovgren on November 17 to
remind him that EHS must seek written authorization from the
USG before exporting the helicopters. Recalling earlier
reports that several Iranian nationals had visited Sweden and
inspected the helicopters, he reiterated concerns that once
the helicopters have been decommissioned, key components
could be re-exported to Iran. Lovgren did not disagree, but
claimed that he was powerless under Swedish law to take any
steps to block the transfer.
4. (S) Separately, Lovgren informed us by email that Mr.
Arnie Sundquist, whose company is responsible for storing the
helicopters in Sweden, is currently abroad and expects to
return to Sweden November 18. Sundquist reportedly
instructed the airport where the helicopters are stored
not/not "to open the gates" until he has returned.
5. (S) Action request: Per Ref A, Post requests Department
guidance for use with ISP and EHS, as appropriate.
WOOD