Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MEXICO674
2009-03-06 23:25:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:  

MEXICO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN (C-AL8-02836)

Tags:  ECON ETRD IR MARR MX PARM PINR PREL PTER SNAR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2784
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #0674/01 0652325
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 062325Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5498
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0317
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0288
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 000674 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2028
TAGS: ECON ETRD IR MARR MX PARM PINR PREL PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: MEXICO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN (C-AL8-02836)

REF: STATE 6423

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason
: 1.4 (b),(d).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 000674

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2028
TAGS: ECON ETRD IR MARR MX PARM PINR PREL PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: MEXICO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN (C-AL8-02836)

REF: STATE 6423

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason
: 1.4 (b),(d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: Mexican President Calderon has not/not
made enhancing ties with Iran a priority of his
administration notwithstanding Iran's efforts to increase its
political and religious influence in the region. The Iranian
Ambassador to Mexico has taken an activist role in promoting
Iran's interests, but nearly all of the cooperation and
agreements between Mexico and Iran are symbolic and lacking
in substance. Mexico has agreed to low-profile exchanges
with Iran designed to improve their bilateral relationship,
but resists efforts by the Iranian ambassador to play Mexico
off of the U.S. Mexico agrees with the need to maintain
consistent pressure on Iran to comply with its international
nuclear nonproliferation obligations but as a rule prefers to
work through the IAEA. The Israelis are watching closely
for any security risks associated with Iran's attempts to
increase its presence in Mexico, but they also believe that
Mexico's intelligence service (CISEN) has the security
portion of the situation under control. End summary.

Mexican-Iranian Relations
--------------


2. (C) As part of its charm offensive in Latin America, Iran
is seeking to improve its bilateral relationship with Mexico.
According to Mexico's intelligence service (CISEN),the
Iranian Ambassador to Mexico, Mohammed Hassan Ghadiri
Alyaneh, is an activist interested in establishing science,
technology and business exchanges in Mexico and possibly a
new Consulate in Tijuana. CISEN also notes Iranian Embassy
efforts to promote commercial links in a number of Mexican
communities, particularly in the State of Durango. Mexico is
responding by looking for ways to enhance cultural and
educational contacts, and is also prepared to improve

commercial and trade ties working within the context of
applicable UN resolutions. Most statements from Mexican
officials calling for increased cooperation with Iran focus
on soft issues like a shared appreciation of culture and
history. Concrete economic cooperation between Mexico and
Iran is quite limited -- trade between the two countries is
at USD 40 million, three fourths of which are Mexican exports
to Iran.


3. (S/NF) The Iranian Ambassador's public statements
sometimes have been problematic for Mexico -- such as quoting
President Ahmadinejad's comment in 2007 that the "Zionist
regime would soon end." The GOM has asked (with mixed
results) that the ambassador moderate his rhetoric.
According to CISEN, the Iranian Embassy supports groups like
the Movimiento Mexicano de Solidaridad con el Pueblo Irani
(MMSPI),which consists of 53 Mexican leaders and social
organizers. Key leaders are located in Mexico City and
Torreon, Coahuila, where Mexico's only Mosque (allegedly tied
to Hezbollah) is also located. Mexico's security services
are concerned about Iran's influence in Mexico and its
attempts to engage and influence the country's Shia Muslim
population, including offering to send young Mexicans to Iran
for education and training. CISEN indicated that Iranian
organizations in Mexico also receive support from the Iranian
Embassy in Cuba.


4. (S/NF) Although Iran already has established close ties
with Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, a
similar relationship with Mexico is unlikely because
President Calderon's is significantly more focused on
Mexico's relationships with Latin America, the United States,
and other important economic players. Mexico recognizes that
Iran has made inroads promoting its cause in Latin America
but will resist any efforts to become "the third corner in a
triangle" between Iran and the United States. Mexico will
agree to improve relations with Iran, but only as long as the
latter respects Mexico's policies.


5. (S/NF) CISEN has watchlisted Dr. Edgardo Ruben Assad (aka
Shaykh Soheil Assad) to prohibit his future travel to Mexico
because his name appears on various international terrorism
watchlists linking him to the bombings in Argentina in the
early 1990s. Mexican immigration honored CISEN's request to

MEXICO 00000674 002 OF 003


prevent his entry, though CISEN has no information of its own
regarding his case. CISEN indicates that the Iranian Embassy
continues to urge the Mexican Government to allow him back
into Mexico. The Soraya Mosque in Torreon, Coahuila has
petitioned to grant Assad residency status so he can serve as
cultural and educational attache to the mosque. CISEN says
this is the first time they have observed the Muslim
community acting with such unity and harmony of purpose, and
they attribute this unity to the Iranian Ambassador. Such
activism enhances CISEN and the broader GOM's view of the
Iranian presence in Mexico as increasingly troublesome and
counterproductive to relations.

Iran and Nuclear Weapons
--------------


6. (C) Mexico places great importance on a diplomatic
solution to Iran's non-compliance with its international
obligation on nuclear issues. Mexico believes Iran is
tactics of delay and deception and in a way that is
inconsistent with its international obligations. The GOM
supports the reaffirmation of U.N. Security Council
Resolutions on Iran. However, Mexico's longstanding and
robust support of sovereignty, non-interference, and
self-determination at the international level prompts GOM to
support, in principle, Iran's right to develop a nuclear
energy program. Iranian officials appear to understand
Mexico's sensitivities on these issues and strives to frames
its case for Mexican support for Iran's nuclear program
invoking these principles. The Iranian Ambassador himself
said that, because Mexico spoke out against U.S. intervention
in Iraq, he expects that Mexico will maintain that commitment
to
non-intervention in the future.

Israeli's Influence in Containing Iranian Influence
-------------- --------------


7. (S/NF) Israel monitors Iranian influence in Latin America
in large measure out of concern over the Iranian role in the
attacks on its Embassy and a Jewish community center in
Argentina in the early 1990s. The Israeli Embassy has
expressed confidence in CISEN's handle on security issues
related to the increased Iranian presence in Mexico. The
Isrealis worry thought that Iran's increasing influence in
Latin America could provide it a beachhead or network for
future nefarious activities targeting Israel or its allies in
the region. To their view, Iranian Ambassador to Mexico's
bold approach has proven mistake-ridden. It also appears to
have contributed to a backlash, drawing the attention of
Mexican officials to the Iranian Ambassador and to Iranian
activities in Mexico and causing some Mexican Muslims to shy
away from associating with him out of fear that his presence
and activities will do more harm than good.

Comment
--------------


8. (S/NF) The GOM has agreed to low profile exchanges with
Iran as part of its broader foreign policy to establish and
maintain friendly relations with all countries. However,
Mexico is also sensitive to Iran's geo-strategic goals in the
hemisphere and appears concerned about the Iranian
Ambassador's antics. Mexican relations with Iran remain
largely symbolic. Nevertheless, Iran continues to seek
deeper ties -- even if they are merely symbolic -- given the
importance it assigns to establishing a presence on the U.S.
border. Mexican authorities, especially CISEN, track
potential Iranian related security concerns closely, keeping
an eye out for any undesirable Iranian activities or persons.
Despite all the talk of sovereignty and self-determination,
GOM will not want to be held responsible for any nefarious
Iranian activities within its borders or in neighboring
countries. Mexico is committed to working with the
international community to blunt an Iranian nuclear weapons
program, but also is wary about becoming a pawn used by
either side in the evolving dispute.

Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North
American
Partnership Blog at

MEXICO 00000674 003 OF 003


http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
BASSETT
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
BASSETT