IRANIAN PROCUREMENT AGENT SEEKS GERMAN TEST

S E C R E T STATE 081281

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2034
TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA IR GM TH
SUBJECT: IRANIAN PROCUREMENT AGENT SEEKS GERMAN TEST
CHAMBER, FALSELY NAMES THAI FIRM AS END-USER (S)

REF: A. 08 STATE 90515

B. 08 BERLIN 1210

C. BERLIN 805

Classified By: ISN/MTR ACTING DIRECTOR RALPH PALMIERO.
REASONS: 1.4(B),(C),AND (D).


1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Berlin please see
paragraph 4.


2. (S) Background: In August 2008, we informed Berlin that
the German firm Voetsch Industrietechnik was negotiating a
deal to sell two model VT7004 environmental test chambers to
the Malaysian intermediary Toshi Electronics on behalf of
Iranian procurement agent Amin Ravan (Ref A). We noted that
Toshi had falsely indicated that the equipment would be used
in Malaysia, when in fact it was destined for Iran. As we
explained to German officials, Ravan is associated with the
Singapore-based entity CoreZing, an entity that has procured
materials on behalf of Iranian end-users of concern,
including the Iran Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO -
the umbrella organization for all Iranian industries
responsible for developing and manufacturing missiles). In
response to the information we provided, German authorities
sensitized representatives of Voetsch, who in turn canceled
the contract to sell the chambers to Toshi (Ref C).


3. (S) Background (cont.) and objective: We now understand
that as of early July 2009, Ravan and Shahin Forouzan -
another Iranian procurement agent - had ordered the same
Voetsch VT7004 test chamber from the German firm Quasar GmbH,
but identified a different end-user -- the Thailand-based
firm Evrex Company Pte Ltd. We believe that the true
end-user is located in Iran, and that Ravan and Forouzan are
using the Thailand address of Evrex as a means of
circumventing German export restrictions. We want to share
this information with German officials and urge them to take
measures to ensure that this transaction does not occur.


4. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Berlin approach
appropriate German government officials to deliver talking
points/non-paper in paragraph 5 below and report response.
Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper.


5. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper:

(SECRET//REL GERMANY)

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

--In August 2008, we shared with your government information
indicating that Iranian procurement agent Amin Ravan was
working to obtain two VT7004 test chambers manufactured by
Voetsch Industrietechnik GmbH.

--Ravan was seeking these test chambers from the Malaysian
firm Toshi Electronic, which falsely indicated that the
equipment would be used in Malaysia as opposed to Iran.

--As we noted to you, Ravan is associated with the
Singapore-based entity CoreZing, which has sought materials
on behalf of Iranian end-users of proliferation concern,
including the Iran Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO),
which has overall responsibility for Iran's ballistic missile
programs.

--We were pleased to learn that as a result of the
information we supplied to your government, German officials
had sensitized representatives of Voetsch to their concerns
about this transaction, and Voetsch subsequently cancelled
the contract to sell the chambers to Toshi.

--We now have new information related to this case that we
would like to share with you.

--We understand that Amin Ravan is continuing his efforts to
procure Voetsch test chambers.

--Specifically, we have information indicating that as of
early July 2009, Ravan and Shahin Forouzan - another Iranian
procurement agent - had ordered a Voetsch VT7004 test chamber
from the German company Quasar GmbH.

--Quasar is located at Mannheimer Str. 115, 60327 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany; phone: 496966123924.

--Ravan and Forouzan indicated to Quasar that the end-user
contact was J. Ahmad in the Commercial Department of the Thai
firm Evrex Company Pte Ltd, located at Sukhumvit Road,
Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok, Thailand.

--However, we believe that the true end-user is located in
Iran, and that Ravan and Forouzan are falsely using the
Thailand address in order to circumvent German export
restrictions.

--We understand that Quasar accepted the order from Forouzon,
and that plans have been made to ship the test chamber five
to six weeks after Quasar's receipt of a down payment.

--We therefore urge you to investigate this information and
to take all appropriate measures to prevent this transaction.

--We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation on
nonproliferation matters and to hearing of any updates on the
progress of your investigation of this case.

End talking points/nonpaper.


6. (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.


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