US embassy cable - 04MADRID2800

S E C R E T MADRID 002800 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2014 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, PGOV, MASS, MOPS, IR, SP, Non-Proliferation Issues 
SUBJECT: SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON IRAN'S MILITARY PROCUREMENT 
ATTEMPTS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 149124 
 
Classified By: KATHLEEN M. FITZPATRICK, POLITICAL COUNSELOR. 
REASONS 1.4 (B) & (D) 
 
1.  (S)  Summary:  The Spanish MFA told us it was unaware 
that Spanish firms have been involved in Iran's attempt to 
procure military and electronic equipment, according to 
officials in the Office of International Affairs of 
Disarmament.  Such attempts would put Spanish business 
interests at odds with the MFA's non-proliferation concerns 
with Iran.  The MFA would welcome an intelligence briefing in 
September after the Spanish summer holiday, when its top 
officials will be prepared to focus on the issue.  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  (S) We met the Deputy Director-designate for 
International Affairs of Disarmament, Marcos Rodriguez, to 
inform the MFA of Iran's attempts to procure military items 
in Spain (reftel).  Rodriguez told us that an Iranian 
delegation of government officials and private business 
leaders visited Foreign Minister Moratinos in May, but they 
did not discuss potential military sells between Iran and 
Spain.  If Izar and other Spanish firms are negotiating with 
Iran to sell military items, it could cause a serious 
conflict between Spanish business interests and the MFA's 
support for non-proliferation concerns with Iran, Rodriguez 
said. 
 
3.  (S) Rodriguez explained that officials in the Office of 
International Disarmament Affairs would welcome a U.S. 
intelligence briefing on the attempts of Iran and other state 
sponsors of terror to procure conventional military and 
dual-use goods in Europe.  However, because International 
Disarmament Affair's Deputy Director General Laclaustra was 
recently appointed and Spain's vacation season is 
approaching, it would be better to schedule an intelligence 
briefing at the end of September, Rodriguez said, when 
officials would be able to focus on the issue.  Rodriguez 
said he would transmit the talking points to the director 
general and report his comments to us. 
 
4.  (C) We will report any significant Spanish reaction. 
MANZANARES