Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE4104
2009-01-15 15:39:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

SYRIAN ENTITY OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN SEEKS

Tags:  MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA CH SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #4104 0151547
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P R 151539Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0000
INFO MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME COLLECTIVE
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0000
S E C R E T STATE 004104 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA CH SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN ENTITY OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN SEEKS
ALUMINUM FROM CHINESE FIRM (S)

Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASONS
1.4 (B),(C),AND (D).

S E C R E T STATE 004104

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA CH SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN ENTITY OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN SEEKS
ALUMINUM FROM CHINESE FIRM (S)

Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASONS
1.4 (B),(C),AND (D).


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


2. (S) Background and Objectives: The U.S. has
information indicating that in early 2008, Syria's
Industrial Solutions placed an order with the Chinese
firm Shanghai Yuanshan Industry and Trade Company for a
consignment of 2024-T6 aluminum. Industrial Solutions
is a cover for the Scientific Studies and Research
Center (SSRC),the entity responsible for overseeing
Syria's ballistic missile program. 2024-T6 aluminum
can be used to produce structural components in
ballistic missiles and in some forms is controlled by
the Nuclear Suppliers Group and Wassenaar Arrangement.
We want to share this information with Chinese
officials and urge them to take all appropriate
measures to ensure that Shanghai Yuanshan Industry and
Trade Company is not acting as a supplier to Syrian
entities of proliferation concern. We also want to
advise the PRC that sanctions pursuant to U.S. law
could be imposed on Shanghai Yuanshan Industry and
Trade Company if the firm is found to have supplied
Syria with regime-controlled items.


3. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Beijing
approach appropriate Chinese 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 CHINA)

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

-- The U.S. has information that in early 2008, the
Syrian company Industrial Solutions placed an order for
type 2024-T6 aluminum from the Chinese company Shanghai
Yuanshan Industry and Trade Company.

-- We are bringing this activity to your attention
because we believe this material is intended to support
Syria's missile development efforts.

-- The 2024-T6 aluminum sought by Industrial Solutions
could be used in a missile program to manufacture
structural components such as instrument mounting
plates, actuator mounts or load bearing components.

-- Industrial Solutions is a cover company for the
Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC),which is
the entity responsible for overseeing Syria's ballistic
missile program. In some forms, 2024-T6 aluminum is
controlled by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the
Wassenaar Arrangement.

-- We urge you to immediately investigate this
information and use all available measures to ensure
that Chinese entities are not acting as sources of
sensitive materials for Syria's ballistic missile
program.

-- We also want to advise you that sanctions pursuant
to the U.S. Iran, North Korea, and Syria
Nonproliferation Act could be imposed on Shanghai
Yuanshan Industry and Trade Company if the firm is
found to have supplied Syria with regime-controlled
materials.

-- We look forward to future cooperation on
nonproliferation issues and to hearing of the actions
your government takes in response to this information.

End talking points/nonpaper.


5. (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.


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