SYRIA'S BUSINESS LAB SEEKING UAV COMPONENTS FROM

S E C R E T STATE 129599

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL MNUC ETTC KSCA GE SY
SUBJECT: SYRIA'S BUSINESS LAB SEEKING UAV COMPONENTS FROM
GERMAN FIRM (S)

Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO FOR REASON
1.4 (C).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Berlin, please see
paragraph 3.


2. (S) Background and Objective: We want to advise German
officials of information indicating that as of November 2009,
the Syrian entity Business Lab was seeking a variety of items,
including small engines, servo actuators, propellers, and
radio equipment from the German firm Graupner GmbH. We are
concerned that any goods Graupner supplies to Business Lab may
be diverted to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center
(SSRC),the entity responsible for Syrian WMD and ballistic
missile programs, and that the items are being sought for use
in Syria's unmanned aerial vehicle program. We want to share
this information with German officials and encourage them to
investigate this information and take measures to ensure that
Graupner is not acting as a supplier to Syrian entities of
proliferation concern.


3. Action Request: Request Embassy Berlin approach
appropriate host government officials to deliver talking
points/non-paper in paragraph 4 below and report response.
Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.


4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:

(SECRET//REL GERMANY)

-- We would like to alert you to information of proliferation
concern and request your assistance in investigating this
activity.

-- The U.S. has information indicating that as of November
2009, the Syrian firm Business Lab was working to procure a
range of items usable in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
from the German firm Graupner GmbH.

-- We understand that Business Lab had expressed interest in
purchasing quantities of small engines, servo actuators,
propellers, and radio transmitting and receiving equipment,
and that Graupner may have provided price quotations for these
items to Business Lab.

-- We are concerned that this equipment may be diverted to
Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC),which
is the organization responsible for Syria's WMD and ballistic
missile programs and has been the subject of numerous
discussions at Missile Technology Control Regime Information
Exchanges.

-- We are providing this information to you to support your
export control efforts and hope you will use all available
measures to ensure that Graupner is not acting - even
inadvertently - as a source of supply for entities of
proliferation concern in Syria.

-- We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation on
nonproliferation issues and would appreciate hearing of any
actions you take in response to this information at the
earliest possible time.


5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR John Paul Herrmann (Phone:
202-647-1430). Please slug any reporting on this issue for
ISN/MTR, NEA/ELA, EUR/CE, and EUR/PRA.


6. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at
www.state.sgov.gov/demarche.
CLINTON