ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING TRAVEL BY A

S E C R E T STATE 019783 E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2034 TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL KN YM SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING TRAVEL BY A MISSILE-RELATED DELEGATION FROM NORTH KOREA'S KOMID TO YEMEN (S) REF: A. STATE 011248 ¶B. SANAA 00268 ¶C. 08 STATE 043685 ¶D. 08 SANAA 00835 ¶E. 08 SANAA 002018 ¶F. 03 SANAA 002550 Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM; REASONS 1.4 (B),(C) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Sanaa, please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) Background, Purpose, and Objective: In May 2008, the United States shared information with the ROYG concerning planned travel by a Yemeni delegation to North Korea to meet with representatives from the North Korean weapons trading firm Korea Mining and Development Corporation (KOMID) (Ref C). In February 2009, we raised with the ROYG information that three delegations from KOMID were scheduled to travel to Sanaa in January 2009. We also informed Yemeni officials that some of the individuals planning to travel to Yemen previously had been involved in North Korean ballistic missile projects in other countries. We now want to raise with the ROYG information that KOMID appears to be sending these delegations to Yemen to engage in work probably related to a Scud missile project. We also understand that some of these North Korean individuals had previously been involved in missile repair work. ¶3. (S) This DPRK-Yemen cooperation is of particular concern in light of the ROYG's August 2002 commitment to the United States that Yemen would not import from any source, including North Korea, missiles or missile-related material. Based on this commitment, the United States waived penalties that otherwise would have been required under the U.S. missile sanctions law against Yemeni entities for engaging in missile-related cooperation with North Korea. Yemen reiterated this commitment in October 2003, informing the United States that it planned to have North Korea install replacement parts needed to repair defective Scuds, but that these repairs would mark the end of Yemeni military cooperation with North Korea (Ref F). In addition, engaging in such cooperation with North Korea could be a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718, which prohibits all states from acquiring missiles and missile-related technical assistance from North Korea. Because this latest activity appears to be inconsistent with Yemen's past missile commitments to the United States and UNSCR 1718, we want to press the ROYG for any clarification it can offer on this matter and strongly urge Yemen to refrain from engaging in any missile-related dealings with North Korea. ¶4. (S) Action Request: Request Embassy Sanaa approach appropriate Yemeni officials to deliver talking points/non-paper in paragraph five below and report response. Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper. ¶5. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET REL YEMEN) -- We would like to raise with you a matter of potential missile proliferation concern. -- You will recall that in May 2008, we provided you with information indicating that a Yemeni delegation planned to travel to North Korea to meet with representatives of North Korea's primary weapons trading firm Korea Mining and Development Corporation (KOMID). -- In February 2009, we shared with you our concerns regarding plans by three delegations from North Korea to travel to Sanaa on January 9 and 10, 2009. -- Our information indicated that these delegations were associated with KOMID and that some of the individuals planning to travel to Yemen previously had been involved in North Korean ballistic missile projects in other countries. -- We since have learned that several North Korean individuals associated with KOMID arrived in Yemen in early January 2009 and that several other probable North Koreans associated with KOMID were working in Yemen in late 2008. -- Our information indicates that KOMID is sending these delegations to Yemen to engage in work probably related to a Scud missile project and that some of these North Korean individuals had previously been involved in missile repair work. -- You will recall that in October 2003, you informed the United States of your plans to have North Korea install replacement parts needed to repair defective Scuds, but stated that those repairs would mark the end of Yemeni military cooperation with North Korea. Subsequently, you assured the U.S. that there would be no further cooperation or contracts with North Korea. -- This 2008-2009 KOMID activity in Yemen clearly seems to be inconsistent with the commitments made by your government to the U.S. regarding missile cooperation with North Korea. -- Moreover, your government's engaging in any type of Scud missile project with North Korea would be inconsistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718, which prohibits all states from acquiring missiles and missile-related items from North Korea and acquiring technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of missiles. -- In addition, we want to advise you that, pursuant to U.S. law, the acquisition of certain missile-related items and technologies by Yemen from North Korea could result in the imposition of sanctions against the entities involved. -- We therefore would appreciate any clarification you can provide on this matter, particularly in light of your government's August 2002 commitment not to import from any source, including North Korea, missiles or missile-related material, and strongly urge you to refrain from missile-related dealings with North Korea. -- We look forward to continuing cooperation on nonproliferation matters. End talking points/non-paper ¶6. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR James Mayes (Phone: 202-647-3185). Please slug any reporting on this issue for ISN/MTR and NEA/ARP. ¶7. (U) A word version file of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. CLINTON NNNN End Cable Text