ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SHIPMENT OF MILITARY

S E C R E T STATE 068986 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2034 TAGS: PARM PREL MASS ETTC TU IR SY SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SHIPMENT OF MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED EQUIPMENT REF: A. STATE 66678 ¶B. ANKARA 934 Classified By: EUR/PRA Director Kathleen Morenski, Acting. Reason 1.4 (b),(c),and (d). ¶1. (S) This is an immediate action request to Embassy Ankara. Please see paragraph 3. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) In late June we informed the Government of Turkey (GOT) that there had been a shipment that month of 18 military communications-related Mercedes Benz vehicles from Iran via Turkey that were destined for Syria. We alerted the GOT that the shipment will possibly be followed by a shipment of electronic suites associated with these trucks (Ref A). The GOT agreed to immediately pass the information to relevant agencies in order the prevent the electronic suites from transiting Turkey (Ref B). We want to provide additional information that the electronic suites are currently en route to Syria and will travel through Turkey, crossing from Turkey to Syria sometime between 4 and 6 July, likely at the Kilis border crossing. -------------- ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶3. (S) Drawing from the points in paragraph 5, which may be left as a non-paper, post is requested to immediately approach appropriate-level Turkish officials with this additional information and request that they investigate this activity, and if the cargo is found to be in violation of UNSCR 1747 that the Government of Turkey (GOT) use all available means to prevent the transshipment of these electronic suites and detain it. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶4. (S) Post should seek to achieve the following: -- Provide Turkish officials with the additional information regarding Iran's shipment of the electronic suites associated with the military communications-related trucks to Syria; -- Inform the GOT that the electronic suites are currently en route to Syria through Turkey, crossing from Turkey to Syria sometime between 4 and 6 July, likely at the Kilis crossing; -- Emphasize to the Turkish officials that UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from transferring any arms or related materiel; -- Urge the GOT to take action against this shipment pursuant to UNSCR 1747, and in accordance with the GOT's laws and authorities; -- Thank the GOT for its willingness to be vigilant in investigating suspect shipments from Iran, to interdict them and take positive action with regard to other earlier requests on other shipments. As a NATO ally, we try to provide Turkey with as much information as possible on these issues, which could help lead them to take action in detaining shipments; and -- Emphasize that, should we receive additional information regarding this shipment, we will provide it as expeditiously as possible. -------------- TALKING POINTS/NON-PAPER -------------- ¶5. (S//REL TURKEY)) Begin talking points/non-paper: -- We have information that in early June, Iran transported eighteen (18) military communications-related Mercedes Benz vehicles to Syria via Turkey. -- We have additional information that the electronic suites associated with these trucks are currently en route to Syria and will travel through Turkey, crossing from Turkey to Syria sometime between 4 and 6 July, likely at the Kilis crossing. -- These electronic suites are approximately 4 meters long, 2 meters wide and have an entry door on one end. -- We are sharing this information with you, and are requesting your help to prevent such transfers of proliferation concern, and to ensure that Iran does not transfer items proscribed by UN Security Council resolutions 1737, 1747, and 1803 through your territory. -- We believe these items constitute arms or related materiel and are covered by UNSCR 1747. -- UNSCR 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from supplying, selling or transferring from its territory 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. -- In the spirit of this resolution, we request you be alert for possible shipments of the electronic suites across your borders and stop them from being transferred to Syria. -- We deeply appreciate the Government of Turkey's continued cooperation, support, and willingness to enact prompt and thorough efforts to promote interdictions designed to prevent the transfer of sensitive material by Iran. END POINTS -------------- REPORTING REQUIREMENT -------------- ¶6. (U) Post is requested to please report results of its efforts as soon as possible. -------------- POINTS OF CONTACT -------------- ¶7. (U) Washington points of contact for follow-up are Michael Rolleri, ISN/CATR, and Matt Hardiman, EUR/PRA. CLINTON