SHIELD S04D-08: UK SUPPORTS TRILATERAL DEMARCHE

S E C R E T LONDON 000641

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/CB SOUZA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2034
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC UK SY IN IS
SUBJECT: SHIELD S04D-08: UK SUPPORTS TRILATERAL DEMARCHE
WITH U.S. AND ISRAEL TO PREVENT INDIAN FIRMS FROM
CIRCUMVENTING EXPORT CONTROLS

REF: A. SECSTATE 18873

B. SOUZA-PALMER EMAILS (NOTAL)

Classified By: Political Counselor Rick Mills
for reasons 1.4 (b) and Q)


1. (S/NF) Summary. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
official confirmed to Poloff March 12 that HMG supports a
U.S.-UK-Israel joint demarche in New Delhi to senior-level
Indian officials urging that India take all steps necessary
to assure that there is no transfer to Syria from Indian
companies of chemical production equipmeQ for Syria's
chemical weapons program (ref A). The UK proposes first
approaching the GOI through intelligence channels then "very
quickly" following up with a high-level demarche through
diplomatic channels. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) Poloff met March 3 with the FCO's
Counterproliferation Department (CPD) Chemical Weapons
Convention Desk Officer Tsui-Ling Yu to recommend a
trilateral U.S.-UK-Israel demarche in New Delhi urging the
GOI to take steps to prevent Indian firms from circumventing
export controls by selling chemical production equipment to
an end-user in Syria that could assist in Syria's chemical
weapons program (ref A). Poloff informed Yu of U.S. plans to
demarche the GOI and shared ref A nonpaper with her. During
both the March 3 meeting and in follow on discussions with
Poloff, Yu expressed support for coordinating with the U.S.
on this matter; she indicated that HMG would appreciate
background information about the circumstances surrounding
the planned equipment transfer.

UK Supports High-Level, Trilateral Demarche
-------------- -


3. (S/NF) Martin Garrett, the Head of the FCO's CPD WMD
Controls Policy office, confirmed to Poloff March 12 that HMG
supports a U.S.-UK-Israel joint demarche in New Delhi to
senior-level Indian officials. Garrett noted that HMG had
previously raised this issue with the GOI at the "Counselor
level;" HMG now favors raising the matter at a "very senior
level." He said the UK proposes, "if the U.S. agrees,"
first approaching the GOI through intelligence channels then
"very quickly afterwards" following up with a high-level
trilateral demarche through diplomatic channels. The FCO
defers to the U.S., UK, and Israeli Missions in New Delhi to
decide the exact modalities of delivery, Garrett said.
Nonetheless, the "key point" of the demarche should be to
"advise the Indian government that since our last approach we
are aware that the transaction has not been stopped" -- and
it must be stopped, he said.


4. (S/NF) Garrett welcomed confirmation from Poloff that the
Israeli MFA has endorsed the idea of a trilateral demarche
(ref B). He discussed with Poloff possible reasons that
would explain why India has not stopped the transaction from
going forward and he said that HMG would appreciate more
information from the USG, if available, as to why the GOI has
not halted the transaction.

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