INTERMEDIARY SEEKS PRESSURE TRANSMITTERS FROM

S E C R E T STATE 044606 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2034 TAGS: MTCR PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA IR GM SUBJECT: INTERMEDIARY SEEKS PRESSURE TRANSMITTERS FROM GERMAN FIRM ON BEHALF OF IRANIAN BALLISTIC MISSILE ENTITY (S) Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Berlin please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (S) Background and Objectives: The United States has information indicating that in late October 2008, the German firm Armaturenbau GmbH offered 200 pressure transmitters to the Iranian firm Bokhar Niro Company. Bokhar Niro Company was procuring these items on behalf of the Shahin Trading Company, which is a cover name for the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG),Iran's primary developer of liquid fueled ballistic missiles and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council resolution 1737. Although these pressure transmitters are not controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR),SHIG could use them to measure fuel tank and pump inlet pressures in liquid rocket engines. We want to inform German officials of this activity and urge them to take measures to ensure that German firms are not acting as unwitting suppliers to Iranian entities of proliferation concern. ¶3. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Berlin approach appropriate German 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 raise with you a matter of proliferation concern and request your government's assistance in investigating this activity. -- The United States has information that in late October 2008, the German firm Armaturenbau GmbH offered to provide 200 model PTMexFG pressure transmitters to the Iranian company Bokhar Niro Company. Bokhar Niro Company was seeking these pressure transmitters on behalf of Iran's Shahin Trading Company. -- We are bringing this matter to your attention because we are concerned that these pressure transmitters are intended to support Iran's indigenous missile development efforts. -- Shahin Trading Company is a cover name for the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG),Iran's primary liquid propellant ballistic missile developer and an entity designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737. -- Although not controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR),these PTMexFG pressure transmitters could be used to measure fuel tank and pump inlet pressures in liquid rocket engines. -- We hope you will investigate this activity and use all available measures to ensure that German companies do not act, even inadvertently, as a source of supply for Iran's missile program. -- We look forward to continued cooperation and to hearing of any 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, EUR/PRA and EUR/CE. ¶6. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. CLINTON