VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0264 2131510
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 011454Z 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 080264 
 
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 
 
¶6.  (U) Department appreciates Post's assistance in this 
matter.  ISN/CATR PoC is William Malzahn 
(MalzahnWB@state.sgov.gov; 202-647-0397). 
CLINTON