SHIELD S19-09: IRAN SEEKS CHEMICAL WEAPONS

S E C R E T ANKARA 001798 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2034 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC IR TU SUBJECT: SHIELD S19-09: IRAN SEEKS CHEMICAL WEAPONS PRECURSOR FROM TURKISH FIRM REF: SECSTATE 123108 Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Kami Witmer, Reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (S) We delivered reftel information to MFA Acting Department Head for Nonproliferation and Disarmament Murat Sogangoz on December 2. We highlighted discussions about Raja Shimi's role in Iran's chemical weapons program in the Australia Group (AG),noted our reporting requirements under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act for transfers of items of proliferation concern to these countries, and urged the GoT to take all necessary action to prevent the transfer of the chemical weapons precursor dimethylamine (DMA) from the Turkish firm Ak Kim Kimya to Raja Shimi. Sogangoz said he was familiar with the AG discussions regarding the Iranian entity and said he will relay reftel information to his superiors and to other relevant agencies. ¶2. (S) We met on December 15 with MFA Nonproliferation and Disarmament Department Head Serhan Yigit to follow up on the initial demarche. Yigit, who had participated in the Australia Group discussions related to Raja Shimi, said the MFA had checked with relevant authorities about this possible transaction and confirmed that, as of December 15, the GoT had not received an application to export DMA to Iran. Yigit said that if the GoT were to receive such a request, he would strongly recommend against approving it given the nature of the substance and concerns about Raja Shimi's linkage with Iran's chemical weapons program. He agreed to inform Post if the GoT receives such a request. JEFFREY "Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"