Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERN118
2009-03-17 16:29:00
SECRET
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM SAYS IT WILL ABANDON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSW #0118 0761629 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 171629Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5721 INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0086 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0034
S E C R E T BERN 000118
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/MTR (J.P.HERRMANN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE MNUC ETTC SZ IR AE
SUBJECT: SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM SAYS IT WILL ABANDON
IRAN-RELATED ACTIVITIES
REF: A. BERN 59
B. 08 STATE 132055
Classified By: Acting DCM Richard A. Rorvig; reasons 1.4(b),(c),and (
d).
S E C R E T BERN 000118
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/MTR (J.P.HERRMANN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE MNUC ETTC SZ IR AE
SUBJECT: SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM SAYS IT WILL ABANDON
IRAN-RELATED ACTIVITIES
REF: A. BERN 59
B. 08 STATE 132055
Classified By: Acting DCM Richard A. Rorvig; reasons 1.4(b),(c),and (
d).
1. (S) Juergen Boehler, Head of the Export Control Licensing
Division of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
(SECO) contacted poloff March 17 to provide an update on the
case of Swiss firm Quartzcom AG (reftels). Boehler told
poloff that he had met March 16 with Quartzcom's management.
In the course of that meeting, Quartzcom's management told
Boehler that Quartzcom would abandon all of its Iran-related
activities. Boehler elaborated that this undertaking would
include foregoing any Quartzcom exports to Iran via
intermediaries in third countries. Terming this decision by
Quartzcom as "voluntary self-restricting", Boehler conveyed
to poloff that SECO had made clear to Quartzcom the risks it
runs by exporting to Iran items that, while not controlled
under current export control regimes, give rise to concern in
certain circumstances.
2. (S) Boehler mentioned that Quartzcom has some business
interests in the United States, and emphasized that the firm
would continue to remain under close scrutiny and
surveillance by Swiss authorities. Expressing appreciation
for USG cooperation, Boehler said informally that he thought
it would be useful for the USG to press authorities in third
countries, such as the UAE and Malaysia, to do more to
address trans-shipment export issues of proliferation concern.
CARTER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/MTR (J.P.HERRMANN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2033
TAGS: PARM MTCRE MNUC ETTC SZ IR AE
SUBJECT: SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM SAYS IT WILL ABANDON
IRAN-RELATED ACTIVITIES
REF: A. BERN 59
B. 08 STATE 132055
Classified By: Acting DCM Richard A. Rorvig; reasons 1.4(b),(c),and (
d).
1. (S) Juergen Boehler, Head of the Export Control Licensing
Division of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
(SECO) contacted poloff March 17 to provide an update on the
case of Swiss firm Quartzcom AG (reftels). Boehler told
poloff that he had met March 16 with Quartzcom's management.
In the course of that meeting, Quartzcom's management told
Boehler that Quartzcom would abandon all of its Iran-related
activities. Boehler elaborated that this undertaking would
include foregoing any Quartzcom exports to Iran via
intermediaries in third countries. Terming this decision by
Quartzcom as "voluntary self-restricting", Boehler conveyed
to poloff that SECO had made clear to Quartzcom the risks it
runs by exporting to Iran items that, while not controlled
under current export control regimes, give rise to concern in
certain circumstances.
2. (S) Boehler mentioned that Quartzcom has some business
interests in the United States, and emphasized that the firm
would continue to remain under close scrutiny and
surveillance by Swiss authorities. Expressing appreciation
for USG cooperation, Boehler said informally that he thought
it would be useful for the USG to press authorities in third
countries, such as the UAE and Malaysia, to do more to
address trans-shipment export issues of proliferation concern.
CARTER