Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL4030
2009-12-16 13:30:00
SECRET
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
EVIDENCE LACKING OF ROSHAN TIES TO IRAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0280 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBUL #4030 3501330 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 161330Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4019 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUETIAA/NSACSS FT GEORGE G MEADE MD
S E C R E T KABUL 004030
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2019
TAGS: ECPS PREL PINR IR AF
SUBJECT: EVIDENCE LACKING OF ROSHAN TIES TO IRAN
Classified By: CDDEA: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne; reasons 1.4 b and d
S E C R E T KABUL 004030
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2019
TAGS: ECPS PREL PINR IR AF
SUBJECT: EVIDENCE LACKING OF ROSHAN TIES TO IRAN
Classified By: CDDEA: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne; reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (S) EmbOffs have heard informally for some time that Roshan,
Afghanistan's largest telecommunications provider, is partially owned
by an Iranian entity and, possibly the Iranian government, including
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps organizations. Reports to this
effect have been circulating in Kabul and Washington for a number of
years.
2. (S) Embassy elements recently concluded an all-source review of
available intelligence reporting, which revealed no proven connection
between Roshan and any Iranian entity, and was unable to identify any
Iranian ownership or management. These reviews were unable to
substantiate Iranian connections to Roshan.
3. (U) Given information available to post, the Aga Khan Fund for
Economic Development owns 51 percent of Roshan. Western companies
own the other 49 percent. The Aga Khan, the leader of the Ismaili
Muslim community, has no connections to Iran of which we are aware.
Roshan, which has operated in Afghanistan since 2003, has
approximately three million subscribers.
4. (S) If Washington agencies have other information please share
with post.
EIKENBERRY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2019
TAGS: ECPS PREL PINR IR AF
SUBJECT: EVIDENCE LACKING OF ROSHAN TIES TO IRAN
Classified By: CDDEA: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne; reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (S) EmbOffs have heard informally for some time that Roshan,
Afghanistan's largest telecommunications provider, is partially owned
by an Iranian entity and, possibly the Iranian government, including
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps organizations. Reports to this
effect have been circulating in Kabul and Washington for a number of
years.
2. (S) Embassy elements recently concluded an all-source review of
available intelligence reporting, which revealed no proven connection
between Roshan and any Iranian entity, and was unable to identify any
Iranian ownership or management. These reviews were unable to
substantiate Iranian connections to Roshan.
3. (U) Given information available to post, the Aga Khan Fund for
Economic Development owns 51 percent of Roshan. Western companies
own the other 49 percent. The Aga Khan, the leader of the Ismaili
Muslim community, has no connections to Iran of which we are aware.
Roshan, which has operated in Afghanistan since 2003, has
approximately three million subscribers.
4. (S) If Washington agencies have other information please share
with post.
EIKENBERRY