(S) SHIPMENT OF MILITARY-RELATED ITEMS FROM IRAN

S E C R E T STATE 005968 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2034 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC IR SY CY SUBJECT: (S) SHIPMENT OF MILITARY-RELATED ITEMS FROM IRAN TO SYRIA Classified By: ISN ACTING DAS Philip A. Foley, Reasons 1.4 (b),(c),and (d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S) The M/V MONCHEGORSK, a Cypriot-flagged vessel chartered by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) is carrying Iranian-origin military-related cargo from Bandar Abbas, Iran to Tartous, Syria. A boarding party from a U.S. Navy warship boarded and inspected the vessel on two separate occasions, and found ammunition, high explosives, compressed gunpowder, and slugs among its cargo. Subsequently, this has been reported by the Associated Press. M/V MONCHEGORSK will likely arrive at the Suez Canal on 23 or 24 January. ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶2. (S) Drawing from the points in paragraph 4, which may be left as a nonpaper, post is instructed to approach appropriate-level Republic of Cyprus (ROC) officials and request that the ROC, as the vessel's flag state, divert the M/V MONCHEGORSK into a Cypriot port and detain its cargo. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. (S) Post should seek to achieve the following: -- Provide Cypriot officials with information, including photographs of the inspection (provided septel),regarding the cargo of the M/V MONCHEGORSK; -- Emphasize to the Cypriot officials that UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from transferring any arms or related materiel; -- Urge the Government of Cyprus (GOC) to take action against this shipment pursuant to UNSCR 1747, and in accordance with the ROC's laws and authorities; and -- (If Raised/Asked) Indicate that the USG is willing to discuss options for disposition of the cargo with the ROC, as well as provide technical support in identifying the cargo. TALKING POINTS/NON-PAPER -------------- ¶4. (S//REL CYPRUS) Begin talking points/non-paper: -- The Cypriot-flagged vessel M/V MONCHEGORSK is carrying Iranian-origin military-related cargo to Syria. -- A boarding team from a U.S. Navy vessel was granted permission by the ship's master to inspect M/V MONCHEGORSK on 19 and 20 January 2009 -- The inspection revealed containers carrying 120 mm, 122 mm, 125 mm, and 160 mm high explosives that originated in Iran and are destined for Syria. Inspection also revealed 7.62 mm shell casings, compressed gunpowder, silver dollar-sized slugs, primer, and magnesium primers. M/V MONCHEGORSK will likely arrive at the Suez Canal on 23-24 January 2009. -- UN Security Council Resolution 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from supplying, selling or transferring any arms or related materiel. It also requires all states to prohibit the procurement of such items from Iran by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not such transfers originated in the territory of Iran. -- As such, we request your assistance in preventing the transfer of goods in violation of UNSCR 1747. -- In particular, we request that, as the M/V MONCHEGORSK's flag state, the Republic of Cyprus divert the vessel to a Cypriot port and detain the cargo IF ASKED: -- We did not request flag-state consent to board the vessel pursuant to our bilateral Ship-Boarding Agreement due to uncertainty regarding whether or not the cargo was WMD-related. -- We are willing to discuss with you options for the disposition of this cargo, as well as support your efforts to identify the cargo. If Asked About the Press Stories -- In any public statements regarding the matter we will highlight Cyprus's support for international nonproliferation efforts and the positive nature of our bilateral, non-proliferation cooperation, but we will not, without prior consultation, make public any support or actions your government may take in this matter. END POINTS. REPORTING REQUIREMENT -------------- ¶5. (U) Post is instructed to report results of its efforts as soon as possible. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶6. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up is Mark Felipe, ISN/CPI, 202-647-5376, felipem2@state.sgov.gov. ¶7. (U) Department thanks post for its assistance. Please slug all responses for ISN, EUR, NEA, and T. CLINTON