US embassy cable - 05ROME4021

S E C R E T ROME 004021 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ISN/CWTR AND ISN/MTR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/8/2015 
TAGS: ETTC, PARM, PREL, IR, NE, IT, MTCR, EXPORT CONTROLS 
SUBJECT: POTENTIAL UAV/CRUISE MISSILE TECH TRANSFER TO IRAN 
MOVING FORWARD 
 
REF: A. ROME 3146 
 
     B. STATE 164496 
 
Classified By: A/ECMIN KATHLEEN REDDY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (S)  SUMMARY:  Aldo Doria, Head of the Ministry of 
Productive Activities' Export Control Unit, told EconOff the 
export of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/cruise missile 
components from Italy to the Netherlands for possible 
re-export to Iran is likely to occur by December 20.  The 
Italian firm is cooperating with the GOI, but does not know 
the items in question are being purchased on behalf of the 
Iranian military.  Dutch officials told him last week in 
Brussels that the export to Iran could be stopped using the 
Wassenaar Arrangement's "catch-all" clause.  End summary. 
 
2.  (S)  EconOff met December 5 with Aldo Doria, Head of the 
Productive Activities Ministry's Export Control Unit, to 
discuss the status of the export of engines manufactured by 
the Italian firm Zanzottera Technologies SRL to the Dutch 
firm Aviation Services International (ASI).  Per Ref A, ASI 
is buying the engines for an Iranian military procurement 
entity.  Doria explained that because the sale is occurring 
within the single European market, the GOI does not have the 
legal means to stop the shipment.  He said that Zanzottera 
Technologies is apparently unaware the engines are being 
purchased on behalf of the Iranian military.  Zanzottera has 
been cooperative with the GOI, and will inform Doria when the 
engines are shipped to ASI, probably before December 20. 
 
3.  (S)  Doria had just returned from an EU export controls 
meeting in Brussels (likely a preparatory meeting for the 
Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary meeting in Vienna) at which he 
discussed this export with Dutch officials.  They confirmed 
that they were aware of the export, because they had been 
"awakened" to it by USG demarches, and told Doria the 
re-export of the Italian engines could be stopped under the 
Wassenaar Arrangement's "catch-all" clause. 
 
4.  (S)  Doria will attend the Wassenaar Plenary meeting next 
week in Vienna, and will be available to discuss this export 
with USG officials.  He expressed hope that the USG, GOI, and 
GON could stop this export, and said it is important to 
demonstrate that multilateral regimes such as Wassenaar can 
prevent sensitive technology exports to states of concern. 
SPOGLI