CHINA INFORMED OF POSSIBLE WEAPONS-RELATED

S E C R E T BEIJING 002080 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/CPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2034 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC CH IR KN SUBJECT: CHINA INFORMED OF POSSIBLE WEAPONS-RELATED TRANSFER FROM DPRK TO IRAN REF: SECSTATE 74813 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR BEN MOELING. REASONS 1.4 (B),(C) AND (D) ¶1. (S) On July 21, Poloff conveyed reftel points and non-paper regarding the possible transfer through Beijing on July 9 of torpedo batteries and technical personnel from North Korea to Iran to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Chemical/Biological Weapons Division Deputy Director Yang Yi. Yang first emphasized China's "strict, accurate and responsible" implementation of UNSCR 1874. While "unaware of this event," Yang promised to pass the information to relevant authorities. ¶2. (S) Yang complained of a "lack of evidence" and "detail" in the information provided in the nonpaper, and said that before China could take action in future possible transfer cases they would need "convincing and supporting evidence." "Sensitive actions" such as cargo inspection should take into consideration national laws and regulations as well as UNSCR 1874, she noted. In response to Yang's questioning whether the items and actions mentioned would be prohibited under UNSCR 1874, Poloff responded that there was "no question" that the type of weapons transfer cited was in violation of UNSCR 1874. Poloff reiterated the need for vigilance and urged that China pay particular attention to any cargo and persons originating travel in North Korea and then connecting on flights to Iran from Beijing. GOLDBERG