(S) ALERTING TURKEY TO EFFORTS BY IRAN TO ACQUIRE

S E C R E T STATE 003403 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2034 TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL TW IR TU SUBJECT: (S) ALERTING TURKEY TO EFFORTS BY IRAN TO ACQUIRE MACHINE TOOLS THROUGH TURKISH INTERMEDIARIES Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM REASONS 1.4 (B),(C) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Ankara, please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (S) Background: The U.S. has information that in June 2008, the Iranian company Machine Sazi Tabriz was seeking to procure Taiwan-origin machine tools through two Turkish companies. We believe Machine Sazi Tabriz was working with these two Turkish companies because it could not acquire these machines directly from Taiwan due to export control restrictions. We are concerned that these machines were being sought to support Iran's missile development efforts because Machine Sazi Tabriz has been associated with proliferation-related procurement for Iran's liquid propellant ballistic missile developer, Shahid Hemmat Industries Group (SHIG). We want to provide this information to Turkish authorities to support their export control efforts and urge them to use all available measures to prevent Turkish intermediaries from acting as a source of supply for missile-related entities in Iran. ¶3. (S) Action Request: Request Embassy Ankara approach appropriate host government authorities 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 TURKEY) -- We would like to alert you to information concerning efforts by two entities in Turkey to facilitate Iran's procurement of Taiwan-origin machine tools and request your assistance in investigating this activity. -- Specifically, we understand that in May and June 2008, Iran's Machine Sazi Tabriz was seeking to procure a model VF-3000 double column bridge mill produced by the Taiwan-based company Vision Wide Tech Co. and a model KAN-50 computer numerically controlled (CNC) flat-bed lathe manufactured by Taiwan's Proking Machinery. -- Machine Sazi Tabriz was seeking these machines through two Turkish companies, Ak Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi and Ak Makina Uluslar Arasi Tic. Ltd. -- We are concerned that these machines could be intended to support Iran's ballistic missile development efforts. -- Machine Sazi Tabriz has been associated with proliferation-related procurement for Iran's Shahid Hemmat Industries Group (SHIG),which is responsible for Iran's liquid propellant ballistic missile program and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution ¶1737. -- We believe Machine Sazi Tabriz may be working with these two Turkish companies to procure machine tools it is unable to acquire directly from Taiwan due to its export control restrictions regarding Iran. -- We are providing you this information to support your export control efforts and urge you to use all available measures to prevent Turkish intermediaries from acting as a source of supply for missile-related entities in Iran. -- We look forward to continued cooperation on export control and nonproliferation issues and would appreciate hearing any actions your government takes in response to this information. End talking points/non-paper ¶5. (U) Washington POC is ISN/MTR James Mayes (Phone: 202-647-3185). Please slug any reporting on this issue for ISN/MTR. ¶6. (U) A word version file of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. RICE