SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM COLLUDING WITH IRANIAN FRONT

S E C R E T BERN 000021


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2025
TAGS: SZ IR KSCA PARM PREL MNUC ETTC
SUBJECT: SWISS FIRM QUARTZCOM COLLUDING WITH IRANIAN FRONT
COMPANY IN ATTEMPT TO SKIRT EXPORT CONTROLS (S): SWISS
RESPONSE

REF: STATE 996

Classified By: Pol-Econ couns. R. Rorvig for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. Pol-Econ Couns. was called in by Swiss Economics
Department Industrial Export Control chief Juergen Boehler on
January 15 to discuss reftel case. (Reftel points were
previously provided to the Economics Department.) Boehler
stated that Swiss authorities are grateful for the U.S.
information on Quartzcom and, after deliberation, now plan to
follow up aggressively with the firm. Boehler said that he
understands that Quartzcom is a one-man "mom and pop",
import-export firm. The best of his knowledge, Quartzcom has
no employees other than the principal, who may be assisted by
one or two family members. Based on the U.S.-provided
information, the Swiss Economics Department has requested
that the Swiss federal police pay a call "in uniform" on
Quartzcom's owner to notify him - on the record - of Swiss
law and the criminal penalties for violating export control
laws. Boehler said that such a visit usually is sufficient
to frighten 99 percent of small operators away from such
business.

CARTER