Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS1707
2009-12-16 17:00:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
(S) GOF RESPOND ON FRENCH FIRM SELLING INFRARED DETECTORS TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #1707 3501700 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 161700Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7900 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2145
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
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
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