(S) GERMANY FINDS NO IRANIAN PROCUREMENT ATTEMPTS FOR DUAL-USE MERCEDES BENZ TRUCKS

SECRET S E C R E T BERLIN 000617 SIPDIS, ISN, NEA, EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2033 TAGS: PARM, MTCRE, PREL, IR, GM SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY FINDS NO IRANIAN PROCUREMENT ATTEMPTS FOR DUAL-USE MERCEDES BENZ TRUCKS REF: STATE 05439 Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1. (S) MFA Export Control Division Desk Officer Wiebke Wacker provided Global Affairs Officer on May 5 with a German-language nonpaper response to reftel regarding the Iranian procurement of dual-use Mercedes Benz trucks. Wacker said the German export authorities had not uncovered any indications that the Iranian company Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG) attempted to procure Mercedes Benz truck models 4053 and 3340 via the Iranian Khodro Company (IKCO). 2. (S) Begin informal Embassy translation of German-language nonpaper: With reference to the Non-Paper from January 18, 2008, regarding the procurement of Mercedes Benz trucks models 4053 and 3340 from the Iranian company Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG) via the Iranian Khodro Company (IKCO), we take this opportunity to bring the following information to the attention of U.S. authorities. -- We appreciate the information in connection with the procurement efforts of the Iranian company SBIG. -- The German export control authorities have no corresponding inquiries and/or requests for export licenses from Mercedes Benz for the export of trucks to the Iranian company IKCO. -- Furthermore, during the time period from October 2007 to February 2008 there were no exports of these Mercedes Benz Trucks contracted to Iran. -- A company response from Mercedes Benz was not available. We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation in the field of export controls. End text of informal Embassy translation. TIMKEN JR