(S) POTENTIAL HIZBALLAH-IRAN ARMS TRANSFER

S E C R E T STATE 088978


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2029
TAGS: PARM PREL PTER ECCT RS IR SY
SUBJECT: (S) POTENTIAL HIZBALLAH-IRAN ARMS TRANSFER

Classified By: Ann Ganzer, ISN Acting DAS
Reason 1.4 (b),(c),and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Moscow

--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------


2. (S) We have recently received information that Iran and
Hizballah plan to transport military equipment between Syria
and Iran via Moscow. Washington is very concerned about the
potential transfer of arms between Iran and a terrorist
organization. Arms transfers from Iran, regardless of the
recipient, would be a violation of UNSCR 1747. Transfers to
Hizballah in Lebanon would be a violation of UNSCR 1701.

--------------
OBJECTIVES
--------------


3. (S) Post should seek to:

--Inform appropriate host government officials of the
information regarding flights between Syria and Iran via
Moscow of what we have reason to believe will be military
equipment.

--Ask host officials to inspect these flights upon landing
and prevent any transfers that would violate UNSCR 1701 or

1747.

--Stress that we wish to provide our allies with as much
information as possible to assist them in preventing Iran
from violating the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

--------------
ACTION REQUEST
--------------


4. (S) Post is requested to approach host government to
inform it of the information regarding the potential flights
between Syria and Iran via Moscow, and request their
assistance to stop the flights.

SECRET/REL RUSSIA

--We appreciate cooperation on nonproliferation issues. In
the spirit of such cooperation, we would like to raise with
you a potential violation of UN Security Council resolutions
1701 and 1747. Our information is limited, but we feel it is
important to share it with you given it affects your
territory and our shared interest in promoting the effective
implementation of U.N, Security Council resolutions.

--We have information that Iran, in cooperation with Lebanese
Hizballah, is preparing to transport military equipment
between Syria and Iran via Moscow using three Syrian flights.
The flights are expected to take place this week, possibly
on the 26th. Weapons may be going both ways (e.g. to and
from Iran) on these flights.
-- In order to try to prevent any transfers that would
violate UNSCR 1701 or UNSCR 1747, we urge you to investigate
these flights and their cargoes, as well as any follow-on
flights. We ask that you require that they be inspected as a
condition of granting overflight approval, and, if military
cargoes are discovered, that you take appropriate action to
ensure that transfers prohibited by the relevant UNSCRs do
not take place.
-- We would also appreciate if you could share with us the
results of your investigation.

IF ASKED
-- UNSCR 1701: Under UNSCR 1701, States are to take the
necessary measure to prevent, by their nationals or from
their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft,
and whether or not originating in their territories, the sale
or supply of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and
equipment, paramilitary equipment, and related spare parts,
to any entity or individual in Lebanon unless authorized by
the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL.
--This prohibition also extends to technical training and
assistance related to the provision, manufacture,
maintenance, and use of the above-listed items.

--UNSCR 1747: Under UNSCR 1747, Iran is prohibited from
supplying, selling, or transferring directly or indirectly
from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag
vessels any arms or related materiel. In addition, States
are to prohibit the procurement of arms or related materiel
from Iran by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or
aircraft, and whether or not originating in the territory of
Iran.
-- Any transfer of weapons from Iran to Syria or Hizballah
would be a violation of UNSCR 1747. In addition, any
provision by Iran or Syria of military equipment or related
technical assistance to Hizballah in Lebanon would be a
violation of UNSCR 1701.
-- As you know, Russia is also obligated by UNSCR 1747 OP5 to
prevent involvement of Russian nationals from procuring arms
from Iran, should such involvement exist.

-- Chicago Convention:
--Article 3 bis of the Convention on International Civil
Aviation recognizes that every State, in the exercise of its
sovereignty, is entitled to require the landing at any
designated airport of a civil aircraft flying above its
territory if there are reasonable grounds to conclude that it
is being used for any purpose inconsistent with the aims of
the Convention.
--Cargo the transfer of which is prohibited by relevant
UNSCRs, including UNSCR 1701 or 1747, could be considered
inconsistent with the aims of the Convention on International
Civil Aviation.


CLINTON