Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STATE10111
2010-02-01 21:03:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

SYRIAN ENTITY SEEKS BEARINGS FROM SPAIN FOR

Tags:  MTCRE PARM PREL ETTC MNUC TSPA SP SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0013
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0111 0322109
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P R 012103Z FEB 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 3812
INFO MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME COLLECTIVE
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 8652
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).

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