A POTENTIAL ALLY ON CHINESE PROLIFERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001108 SENSITIVE SIPDIS ISN/CPI FOR MICHELE NEW, T, TREASURY, NEA, EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2013 TAGS: ECON EFIN KNNP PARM PTER IR PL SUBJECT: A POTENTIAL ALLY ON CHINESE PROLIFERATION REF: A. SECSTATE 98975 ¶B. WARSAW 1093 ¶C. WARSAW 1086 Classified By: Mike Sessums for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Econ and Political Officers discussed points and passed on non-paper to officials at the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively (REF A). Polish officials were supportive of the message and agreed with the importance of engaging the Chinese on weapons proliferation. While they were unsure of next steps, they committed to share the message in their respective agencies. ¶2. (C) Comment: Poland is particularly sensitive to our concerns about arms trafficking through Iran to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Poles have suffered losses fighting alongside the US in both countries (REF B). Separately, the GoP has committed to hold off on potential investments in Iran in support of sanctions there (REF C). They do not feel like they have a lot of influence in China but once again, they are a potential ally supporting our position in Brussels if the question comes up at the level of the EU. ASHE