IRAN: P3 URGES CYPRUS TO PREVENT ARMS TRANSFER IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000079 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019 TAGS: PARM IR UNSC MNUC ETTC KNNP SUBJECT: IRAN: P3 URGES CYPRUS TO PREVENT ARMS TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF UN SANCTIONS REF: A. NICOSIA 18 ¶B. NICOSIA 73 ¶C. NICOSIA 75 ¶D. NICOSIA 78 ¶E. NICOSIA 93 USUN NEW Y 00000079 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Amb. Alejandro Wolff, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: U.S., UK, and French representatives explained to the UN Perm Rep of Cyprus that the presence of Iranian arms-related materiel on the Cypriot-flagged vessel Monchegorsk was an apparent violation of UN sanctions on Iran (Security Council resolution 1747) and that this cargo should neither be allowed to continue to its original destination in Syria nor be returned to Iran. The Cypriot Perm Rep explained that Cyprus had not yet determined whether a violation of resolution 1747 had occurred and suggested that Cyprus ask the Security Council or the Iran Sanctions Committee for guidance on the matter. The U.S., UK, and French representatives warned against this option, as it would create a troubling precedent for how countries interpret their international obligations under Security Council resolutions. In a subsequent private phone call, Ambassador Wolff warned the Cypriot Perm Rep that Cyprus could hurt its own equities, insofar as this precedent could affect how other countries carry out their international obligations on issues that are of great importance to Cyprus. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On January 30, Ambassador Wolff, French Deputy Permanent Representative Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UK Minister Counselor David Quarrey explained to UN Perm Rep of Cyprus Minas Hadjimichael that the presence of Iranian arms-related materiel on the Cypriot-flagged vessel Monchegorsk was an apparent violation of UN Security Council resolution 1747 (reftels). (NOTE: U.S. naval inspections of the Monchegorsk on January 18 and 19 discovered Iran-origin arms-related materiel being shipped to Syria; the vessel is currently anchored in a Cypriot harbor and being inspected by Cypriot authorities. END NOTE.) Lacroix observed that resolution 1747 clearly prohibits arms transfers from Iran or the procurement of such arms by others. While welcoming the measures Cyprus has already taken in this case, Lacroix urged Cyprus to ensure that the arms are neither allowed to continue to their final destination nor be returned to Iran. He said we were willing to explore creative options to help the Cypriots deal with the political complications of detaining the cargo. ¶3. (C) Hadjimichael pledged that Cyprus would abide by its international obligations, but emphasized that inspections of the cargo were still underway and Cypriot authorities had not yet concluded that there had been a violation of resolution ¶1747. He said a report on the matter would likely be finished by Monday. Hadjimichael suggested that Cyprus could convey the results of its investigations to the Security Council's Iran Sanctions Committee and ask the Committee to determine whether a violation has occurred. Wolff explained that resolution 1747 was clear on what constituted a violation and that turning the matter over to the Committee could put Cyprus in an even more difficult political position, especially if the Committee is divided on a response. In response, Hadjimichael asked rhetorically, "How can we determine there is a violation if the Committee cannot agree on this question?" Lacroix added that requesting guidance from the Committee -- especially regarding such a clear provision of a Security Council resolution -- would set a bad precedent and could suggest to UN Member States that they have the option of going to the Committee instead of carrying out their own responsibilities. ¶4. (C) Hadjimichael further suggested that Cyprus could refer the matter to the Security Council so that "the Council can interpret its own resolutions." Wolff cautioned that this course of action would have serious implications for how other countries interpret and implement their international obligations under Security Council resolutions. He urged Cyprus to consult closely with us before going this route. ¶5. (C) In a subsequent phone call with Wolff, Hadjimichael confided that he was operating on difficult instructions from Nicosia and that he personally recognized Cyprus's international obligations in this case. Wolff warned that Cyprus has a great stake in the self-enforcing nature of Security Council resolutions; imagine, he said, if countries left it to the Security Council to decide what might be allowed in terms of relations with Northern Cyprus. Wolff added that this situation is the first test of resolution USUN NEW Y 00000079 002.2 OF 002 1747 and the manner in which Cyprus responds would become a precedent that could undermine the entire UN sanctions regime. Hadjimichael said he agreed with this assessment and urged that we take this situation up with Nicosia directly. Rice