(S) GOF RESPOND ON FRENCH FIRM SELLING INFRARED DETECTORS TO

S E C R E T PARIS 001707 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL:12/02/34 TAGS:ETTC,MARR,MCAP,MOPS,PARM,PINR,PREL,PTER, CH,IR,FR SUBJECT: (S) GOF RESPOND ON FRENCH FIRM SELLING INFRARED DETECTORS TO CHINA CLASSIFIED BY EMIN SETH WINNICK FOR REASONS 1.4 B & D REF: A STATE 96222 B PARIS 01307 ¶1. (S) On November 27, French MFA Deputy Director of Strategic Affairs for Arms Control Francois-Xavier Reymond provided the GOF's findings from its investigation of infrared sensor exports via China to Iran (ref A). Reymond emphasized that France and the United States have a shared interest in keeping the pressure on Iran to live up to its international obligations, and that the possibility of French arms list items reaching Iran is troubling. He stated that the investigation had not turned up further evidence of the transfers described in ref A. The GOF would welcome further discussions on this matter and invited the USG to provide more information regarding French components being involved transfers from Zhejiang Dali Technology Company Ltd to Iran. ¶2. (S/NF) Embassy Comment: We recommend that Department and other concerned Washington agencies take at face value the GOF offer to work with the USG on this issue and make arrangements to share additional information on the Sofradir equipment. End comment. 3.(S/NF) Text of French Response (informal Embassy translation) to the U.S. Non-paper on French Companies Sofradir and Ulis -- The French Company Sofradir and its subsidiary Ulis are effectively suppliers of Infra-red (IR) cooled and non-cooled components for the Chinese Company Zhejiang Technology Company LTD. -- According to current French regulations, these components pertain to the arms list and are consequently subject to arms export controls. The requests of exportation of these materials were the subject of a review by French authorizations and only those materials having obtained an authorization were exported. -- Concerning China, a particularly careful review is carried out regarding the capacities of the sensors, and the final end-use declared by the company is taken into account during the processing export/license application. -- The Chinese Company Zhejiang Technology Company LTD produces some IR thermal systems. China is not linked with the French Companies by exclusive rights contracts and can consequently choose the origin of the IR sensors as a function of their requirements. China produces some IR sensors and thermal cameras containing some Chinese IR sensors. -- France was not aware, before receiving the American non-paper, of sales of thermal cameras to Iran by Zhejiang Technology Company LTD. -- The French authorities are prepared to contribute in every way possible in the identification of French equipment that American authorities may be able to present to them. End Text Of French Response RIVKIN