SYRIAN ENTITY SEEKS BEARINGS FROM SPAIN FOR

S E C R E T STATE 010111 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2035 TAGS: MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA SP SY SUBJECT: SYRIAN ENTITY SEEKS BEARINGS FROM SPAIN FOR POSSIBLE USE IN MISSILE PROGRAM (S) Classified By: ISN/MTR DIRECTOR PAM DURHAM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B), (C),AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Embassy Madrid please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (S) Background and Objectives: We want to share with Spanish officials information indicating that as of early December 2009, the Spanish firm Coll Vilaro offered to provide Swiss-origin ball bearings to the Syrian firm Business Lab. Although the offer was only for a sample supply of these bearings, Business Lab may seek larger quantities in the future. We are concerned that Business Lab may divert this equipment to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC),the organization responsible for Syria's WMD and ballistic missile programs. Although not controlled by any of the multilateral export control regimes, we believe these bearings may be used in the manufacture of gyroscopes and are intended for Syria's ballistic missile program. We want to urge the GOS to investigate this information and take steps to ensure that Coll Vilaro is not acting as a supplier to SSRC or other Syrian entities of proliferation concern. ¶3. (U) Action Request: Request Embassy Madrid approach appropriate Spanish government officials to deliver talking points/non-paper in paragraph 4 below and report response. Talking points also may be provided as a non-paper. ¶4. (S) Begin talking points/non-paper: (SECRET//REL SPAIN) -- We would like to alert you to information of proliferation concern and request your assistance in investigating this activity. -- The U.S. has information indicating that as of early December 2009, the Syrian firm Business Lab was working to procure Swiss-origin ball bearings from the Spanish firm Coll Vilaro S.A. -- We understand that Coll Vilaro offered to sell samples of these ball bearings to Business Lab and that Business Lab may seek additional bearings of this type in the future. -- We believe that Business Lab may divert this equipment to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC). As discussed in several MTCR Information Exchange meetings, SSRC is the organization responsible for Syria's WMD and ballistic missile programs. -- Although these bearings are not export-controlled, we believe that they may be used in the manufacture of gyroscopes and are intended for use in Syria's ballistic missile program. -- We hope that you will investigate this information and use all available measures to ensure that Coll Vilaro is not acting, even inadvertently, as a source of supply for entities of proliferation concern in Syria. -- We look forward to future cooperation on nonproliferation issues and would appreciate hearing of any actions you take in response to this information at the earliest possible time. End talking points/nonpaper. ¶5. (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/WE and EUR/PRA. ¶6. (U) A word version of this document will be posted at www.state.sgov.gov/demarche. CLINTON