Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENNA1373
2008-09-18 14:41:00
SECRET
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
DEMARCHE ON SNIPER RIFLES DELIVERED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHVI #1373 2621441 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 181441Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0973 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0195 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 1778 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0941 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T VIENNA 001373
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MASS ETTC FGM AU IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SNIPER RIFLES DELIVERED
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: /Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
S E C R E T VIENNA 001373
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MASS ETTC FGM AU IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SNIPER RIFLES DELIVERED
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: /Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) Econoff delivered reftel demarche to Helmut Krehlik,
head of the Export/Import Control division at the Ministry of
Economic Affairs. Krehlik replied that he heard of the
concerns weeks earlier through intel channels but viewed it
as
-- impossible that Austrian authorities would have approved
such a sale
-- difficult in practice to detect a transit shipment, for
instance in a sealed container, if Austria was only a transit
country for a sale approved in another EU country.
2. (S) In Econoff's presence, Krehlik conducted a license
database search for Unique Alpine and other sniper rifles.
Apart from small shipments to Russia over the past year (less
than 10 units total),the Ministry received in March 2008 a
request to export 200 sniper rifles -- both Steyr Mannlicher
and Unique Alpine manufactures -- to Lebanon (enduser: "Sport
and Hunting" dealer). Both the MFA and Econ Ministry were
opposed to the sale and conveyed this to the exporter in May
2008. Beyond the UN/EU arms embargo for non-government
entities in Lebanon, Krehlik opined that Lebanon, Syria, the
UAE and others are potential fronts for Iran. The Econ
Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Interior (which
has jurisdiction over automatic and high-caliber weapons) and
convey any additional findings to us.
3. (S) Krehlik asked for additional information about any
potential shipment and encouraged the USG to work the matter
in detail with the German government, which would presumably
issue any license in this case.
4. (U) Post will follow-up and report any further substantive
developments.
GIRARD-DICARLO
GIRARD-DICARLO
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MASS ETTC FGM AU IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SNIPER RIFLES DELIVERED
REF: STATE 96555
Classified By: /Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) Econoff delivered reftel demarche to Helmut Krehlik,
head of the Export/Import Control division at the Ministry of
Economic Affairs. Krehlik replied that he heard of the
concerns weeks earlier through intel channels but viewed it
as
-- impossible that Austrian authorities would have approved
such a sale
-- difficult in practice to detect a transit shipment, for
instance in a sealed container, if Austria was only a transit
country for a sale approved in another EU country.
2. (S) In Econoff's presence, Krehlik conducted a license
database search for Unique Alpine and other sniper rifles.
Apart from small shipments to Russia over the past year (less
than 10 units total),the Ministry received in March 2008 a
request to export 200 sniper rifles -- both Steyr Mannlicher
and Unique Alpine manufactures -- to Lebanon (enduser: "Sport
and Hunting" dealer). Both the MFA and Econ Ministry were
opposed to the sale and conveyed this to the exporter in May
2008. Beyond the UN/EU arms embargo for non-government
entities in Lebanon, Krehlik opined that Lebanon, Syria, the
UAE and others are potential fronts for Iran. The Econ
Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Interior (which
has jurisdiction over automatic and high-caliber weapons) and
convey any additional findings to us.
3. (S) Krehlik asked for additional information about any
potential shipment and encouraged the USG to work the matter
in detail with the German government, which would presumably
issue any license in this case.
4. (U) Post will follow-up and report any further substantive
developments.
GIRARD-DICARLO
GIRARD-DICARLO