COMOROS AND IRAN: UN SANCTION BREAKING?

S E C R E T ANTANANARIVO 000150 DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO, NEA, T, ISN/CPI MARK FELIPE AND ISN/CATR MARGARET MITCHELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL IR CN XA SUBJECT: COMOROS AND IRAN: UN SANCTION BREAKING? REF: A. A. ANTANANARIVO 138 B. 08 STATE 129098 ¶B. C 08 ANTANANARIVO 759 Classified By: Classified by: Ambassador Niels Marquardt for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary: In the aftermath of Iranian president Ahmedinejad's February 25 visit to the Comores (ref a),the French Ambassador in Moroni reported to Emboff that the GOC entered into bilateral military agreements with the GOI that may directly violate UNSCR and US laws (ref B). These agreements if/if actually signed and implemented indicate a disturbing increase in Iranian involvement there that could place the Comoros in violation of UNSCRs. Emboff in Moroni reports that the Iranian President's party in the Comoros included members of the Iranian military; newspaper photos had Iranian military officials in the background. Rumors and reports around Moroni since the visit suggest the French report is credible. We are seeking to verify with the GOC and, if true, plan to protest. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The French Ambassador advised Embassy Comoros officer that he understood that three bilateral military agreements were reached between the GOI and GOC during the visit: 1) to deliver logistics equipment and weapons for the Comoran Army of National Development(AND),further details unknown; 2) about 80 military personnel from Iran will come to the Comoros in June to participate in National Day July 6, train the AND, and also go to Anjouan, and 3) an agreement for Iran to establish a Naval base in the Comoros. ¶3. (C) These three agreements may or may not be realized. There have been bilateral agreements with Iran before -- if the inoperable fishing boat in Moroni port is an example, there may be little to worry about. Nonetheless, on the basis of this report, Embassy Comoros officer again will demarche the Minister of Foreign Affairs to reiterate points raised with them in December (ref b). Ambasador will follow up, if necessary, on his next visit to Moroni. MARQUARDT