IRANIAN MISSILE DELEGATION IN CHINA (S)

S E C R E T STATE 012231 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2034 TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA CH IR SUBJECT: IRANIAN MISSILE DELEGATION IN CHINA (S) Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Beijing please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) Background and Objectives: The United States has information indicating that a delegation of three officials affiliated with Iran's Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group was expected to travel on February 5 to Shanghai by way of Beijing. This delegation plans to return to Iran on February 12. Though we do not know the purpose of the delegation's travel, SBIG is Iran's primary developer of solid-fueled ballistic missiles and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737. We are concerned that this delegation may be holding negotiations with a Chinese entity (or entities) for the supply of missile- useful components, material, or technology. ¶3. (S) Objective: We want to urge Chinese officials to immediately investigate this information and take all appropriate steps to prevent sensitive Chinese equipment or technology from reaching Iran's missile program. ¶4. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Beijing approach appropriate Chinese government officials to deliver talking points/non-paper in paragraph 5 below and report response. Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper. ¶5. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET//REL CHINA) -- We would like to alert you to information of missile proliferation concern and request your assistance in investigating this activity. -- The United States has information indicating that a delegation from Iran's Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG) planned to travel on February 5 to Shanghai via Beijing. -- SBIG is Iran's primary solid-propellant ballistic missile developer and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737. -- The delegation was to fly to Beijing on Iran Air flight IR-800, and then to Shanghai on Air China flight number CA-1557. -- The delegation consists of the following individuals: -Mohsen Bozorg-Ghomi -Hossein Mahdavi-Zafarghandi -Sattar Mirzai -- The delegation planned to return to Beijing on Air China flight number CA-1520 on 12 February and return to Tehran on Iran Air flight number IR-801 later that day. -- We are concerned that this delegation will hold negotiations with a Chinese entity (or entities) for the supply to SBIG of missile-useful components, material, or technology. -- We therefore urge you to immediately investigate this activity and use all available measures to prevent sensitive Chinese equipment or technology from reaching Iran's missile program. -- We look forward to future cooperation on missile nonproliferation issues and to hearing of the actions you have taken regarding this activity at the earliest possible time. End talking points/nonpaper. ¶6. (U) Please contact ISN/MTR's John Paul Herrmann with any questions or follow-up issues related to this case (202-647-1430 - herrmannjp@state.sgov.gov) and slug any reporting on this issue for ISN/MTR and EAP/CM. ¶7. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. CLINTON