VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0253 2130859
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 010843Z AUG 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 0000
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 0000

S E C R E T STATE 080253 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034 
TAGS: ETTC IR PARM PREL TU MASS SY
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON IRANIAN ARMS TRANSFERS TO SYRIA VIA 
AIR 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Ann K. Ganzer, Acting DAS.  Reasons:  1.4 (b), (c), 
and (d). 
 
¶1.  (U) This is an urgent action request to Embassy 
Ankara.  Please deliver the points in paragraph 4 as soon 
as possible.  These points may be left as a non-paper. 
 
¶2.  (S/NF) We have recently received 
information from a diplomatic source that Iran 
intends to ship possibly lethal military 
equipment to Syria by air. 
 
------------------------- 
ACTION REQUEST/OBJECTIVES 
------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (S/NF) Post is requested to approach 
appropriate host government officials as soon 
as possible to pursue the following objectives 
and to deliver the talking points/non-paper in 
para 4 below: 
 
-- Inform Turkish officials we have received 
information that in the immediate future 
possibly Saha Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines 
or Syrian Air Force flights will conduct 
large-scale arms shipments from Iran to Syria 
and probably Hizbullah using Turkish airspace; 
 
-- Ask the Government of Turkey (GOT) to 
follow up and implement its commitment to be 
vigilant in investigating suspect shipments 
from Iran, and to interdict them as 
appropriate. 
 
-- Convey our appreciation for Turkey's 
ongoing support to investigate such activity 
and positive action with regard to similar 
shipments in the past. 
 
-- As a NATO ally, we try to provide Turkey 
with as much information as possible on these 
issues; and 
 
-- Emphasize to Turkish officials that UN 
Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1747, 
paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from supplying, 
selling or transferring from its territory any 
arms or related material.  It also requires 
all states to prohibit the procurement of such 
items from Iran by their nationals, or using 
their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or 
not such transfers originated in the territory 
of Iran. 
 
¶4.  (S/REL TURKEY) BEGIN TALKING POINTS. 
THESE POINTS MAY BE LEFT AS A NONPAPER. 
 
-- We have received information indicating 
that Iran intends to transfer large-scale arms 
shipments to Syria and probably Hizbullah in 
the immediate future. 
 
-- The arms are to be shipped by cargo planes 
via the Turkish airspace. 
 
-- The arms transfers may be conducted by Saha 
Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines or the Syrian 
Air Force. 
 
-- We urge you to investigate this information 
pursuant UN Security Council Resolution 
(UNSCR) 1747, paragraph 5, which prohibits 
Iran from supplying, selling or transferring 
from its territory any arms or related 
material.  It also requires all states to 
prohibit the procurement of such items from 
Iran by their nationals, or using their flag 
vessels or aircraft, and whether or not such 
transfers originated in the territory of Iran. 
 
-- We would appreciate any assistance you can 
provide in preventing the transfer of arms on 
Iranian and Syrian cargo flights via Turkish 
airspace, making the planes land for 
inspection where warranted. 
 
-- Per our past discussions on this issue, we 
urge you to continue to require suspicious 
Syrian aircraft requesting permission to 
overfly Turkey to land for inspection to 
ensure they are not engaged in prohibited 
transfers, and to conduct such inspections if 
the Syrians agree to land. 
 
-- Unfortunately, we do not have more detailed 
information on this transfer at this time.  We 
are seeking additional details and will 
endeavor to share any further information that 
we may obtain with you.  We understand that 
Israel has engaged with your government on 
this matter as well and would recommend that 
you follow up with them on any additional 
information they may have. 
 
END TALKING POINTS 
 
¶5.  (U) Department appreciates Post's assistance in this 
matter.  ISN/CATR PoC is William Malzahn 
(MalzahnWB@state.sgov.gov; 202-647-0397). 
CLINTON