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Mon, March 07, 2011 | WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks: Iranian Outreach to Latin America

Washington analysts assess that Tehran is reaching out to Latin American countries in order to reduce its diplomatic isolation and increase ties to leftist countries in the region that Tehran perceives may share its anti-US agenda.

President Ahmadi-Nejad appears to be the driving force behind this policy, and he has received personal assistance from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Iran’s ties with Venezuela, which include military cooperation, are the closest and most significant. Given the high-profile Iran-Venezuela relationship, Hizballah-linked individuals probably see Venezuela as a safehaven where they can conduct fundraising and support activities without interference.

Other populist governments like Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua have also sought to create closer political and economic ties with Iran. Iran has established cultural centers in 16 countries of the region and has embassies in 10 countries.

Source: WikiLeaks

Reference ID: 09STATE6423
Created: 2009-01-23 21:09
Classification: SECRET//NOFORN
Origin: Secretary of State

R 232151Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO IRAN COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
AMEMBASSY PANAMA
AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
AMEMBASSY QUITO
AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
AMCONSUL MONTERREY
USINT HAVANA

S E C R E T STATE 006423

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2034
TAGS: PINR ETRD MARR PREL PTER SNAR AR BH BL BR CI CO CS
CU, DR, EC, ES, GT, HA, HO, MX, NU, PA, PE, PM, UY, VE
SUBJECT: (C) IRANIAN OUTREACH TO LATIN AMERICA
(C-AL8-02836)

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/I. REASON: 1.4(C).

¶1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ASSESS THAT TEHRAN IS
REACHING OUT TO LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO REDUCE
ITS DIPLOMATIC ISOLATION AND INCREASE TIES TO LEFTIST
COUNTRIES IN THE REGION THAT TEHRAN PERCEIVES MAY SHARE ITS
ANTI-US AGENDA. PRESIDENT AHMADI-NEJAD APPEARS TO BE THE
DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS POLICY, AND HE HAS RECEIVED
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE FROM VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ.
IRAN’S TIES WITH VENEZUELA, WHICH INCLUDE MILITARY
COOPERATION, ARE THE CLOSEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT. GIVEN THE
HIGH-PROFILE IRAN-VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP, HIZBALLAH-LINKED
INDIVIDUALS PROBABLY SEE VENEZUELA AS A SAFEHAVEN WHERE THEY
CAN CONDUCT FUNDRAISING AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES WITHOUT
INTERFERENCE. OTHER POPULIST GOVERNMENTS LIKE BOLIVIA,
ECUADOR, AND NICARAGUA HAVE ALSO SOUGHT TO CREATE CLOSER
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TIES WITH IRAN. IRAN HAS ESTABLISHED
CULTURAL CENTERS IN 16 COUNTRIES OF THE REGION AND HAS
EMBASSIES IN 10 COUNTRIES. AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT AND
AS APPLICABLE TO POST, ANALYSTS AND SENIOR LEVEL POLICYMAKERS
WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING
TOPICS/QUESTIONS THAT YOU COLLECT DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR
NORMAL MEETINGS/BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

¶A. (U) FOR IRAN WATCHERS AND THE IRAN REGIONAL PRESENCE
OFFICE (IRPO):

1) (S/NF) BEYOND IRAN’S OVERT POLICY TO INCREASE ITS
DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS IN THE REGION, WE LACK
INFORMATION ON TEHRAN’S STRATEGIC INTENTIONS. WHAT DOES
TEHRAN SEE AS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF IRAN’S OUTREACH TO LATIN
AMERICA? HOW HIGH A PRIORITY IS LATIN AMERICA FOR IRANIAN
FOREIGN POLICY? DOES TEHRAN ENVISION BECOMING A KEY REGIONAL
PLAYER IN LATIN AMERICA? WHERE DOES IRAN THINK IT IS IN TERMS
OF DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH THE REGION? WHAT SPECIFIC
COUNTRIES, GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS DOES IRAN VIEW AS ENABLERS
IN THE REGION? WHICH COUNTRIES APPEAR TO BE THE FOCUS OF
IRANIAN EFFORTS TO MAKE POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC, AND ECONOMIC
INROADS IN LATIN AMERICA, AND WHERE IS IT PLANNING TO EXPAND?
WHAT DOMESTIC, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, OR SOCIAL ISSUES MIGHT
IMPACT ITS OUTREACH TO LATIN AMERICA?

2) (S/NF) WHO IN TEHRAN IS PUSHING IRAN’S OUTREACH TO LATIN
AMERICA? IF IT IS AHMADI-NEJAD, WHAT IS THE SUPREME LEADER’S
OPINION ON IRAN’S EFFORTS TO EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN THE
REGION? WHO IN TEHRAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING IRAN’S
LATIN AMERICA POLICY–THE MFA, THE MOIS, THE IRGC? WHO WITHIN
THESE ORGANIZATIONS IS INVOLVED IN FORMING IRAN’S POLICY ON
LATIN AMERICA? HOW DO THESE ORGANIZATIONS COORDINATE THEIR
ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION?

3) (S/NF) DOES TEHRAN HAVE ANY INTENTION OF USING THE
REGION AS A STAGING GROUND FOR POTENTIAL TERRORIST ATTACKS,
EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH SURROGATES? ARE ANY PERSONS
AFFILIATED WITH THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT MAKING CONTINGENCY
PREPARATIONS TO CREATE NETWORKS FOR POTENTIAL TERRORIST
ACTIVITIES LATER? IF SO, WHAT SORT OF ACTIVITIES?

4) (S/NF) DO TEHRAN AND HIZBALLAH SHARE SIMILAR OBJECTIVES
IN THE REGION? IN WHAT WAYS DO THEY WORK
TOGETHER/INDEPENDENTLY? WHAT, IF ANY, ARE IRAN’S INTENTIONS
AND CAPABILITIES FOR STRENGTHENING HIZBALLAH OBJECTIVES IN
LATIN AMERICA?

¶B. (U) FOR IRAN WATCHERS, IRPO AND LATIN AMERICAN POSTS:

1) (S/NF) WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE MOIS AND IRGC-QODS
FORCE PRESENCE AND RECRUITMENT IN THE REGION? WHAT HAPPENS TO
THE POTENTIAL RECRUITS AFTER THEIR TRAINING IN IRAN OR OTHER
MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES? ARE IRANIAN OFFICIALS ATTEMPTING TO
ACCESS US TERRITORY OR US PRIVATE FIRMS VIA LATIN AMERICA? DO
THE IRANIAN CULTURAL CENTERS MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE
CONVERTS? DO IRANIAN DIPLOMATIC OR MILITARY (I.E. IRGC-QODS
FORCE) OFFICIALS IN THE REGION MAINTAIN ANY CONTACT WITH
CONVERTS? HOW DOES TEHRAN PROVIDE MONEY TO THE ICCS?

2) (S/NF) TO WHAT EXTENT ARE IRAN AND ITS LATIN AMERICAN
ALLIES COOPERATING AGAINST THE U.S.? IN WHAT WAYS HAS IRAN
BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT FOSTERING GREATER ANTI-AMERICANISM IN THE
REGION? WHAT KINDS OF COVERT IRANIAN ACTIVITY HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED IN THE REGION? TO WHAT EXTENT DO IRAN AND LATIN
AMERICA APPEAR TO SHARE INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION? HAS IRAN
PROVIDED INTELLIGENCE TRAINING WITHIN THE REGION?

3) (S/NF) IS IRAN SUPPORTING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES IN LATIN
AMERICA? IS IT RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING OR TRAINING ILLEGAL
ARMED GROUPS IN COLOMBIA OR ELSEWHERE? IS IRAN FACILITATING
LETHAL AID FOR ITS ALLIES OR WORKING TO ESTABLISH NEW
TERRORIST INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE REGION?

4) (S/NF) HOW IS IRAN CIRCUMVENTING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
THROUGH ITS TIES IN THE REGION? WHAT KINDS OF COMMERCIAL AND
FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEVELOPING BETWEEN IRAN AND THE
REGION? DO JOINT BUSINESS VENTURES WITH IRAN TURN A PROFIT?
WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE EXPANDED TRADE RELATIONSHIPS WITH IRAN?
ARE THESE TRADE AGREEMENTS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC GOODS OR
SECTORS? IS THERE ANY INDICATION OF TRADE INCLUDING MATERIALS
OR TECHNOLOGY WHICH COULD BE USED FOR WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT BY
IRAN?

5) (S/NF) HOW SUCCESSFUL HAVE TEHRAN’S EFFORTS TO EXERT
INFLUENCE IN THE REGION THROUGH CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS
PROSELYTIZATION BEEN? ARE THERE ANY INDICATIONS THAT THESE
EFFORTS HAVE EFFECTIVELY FOSTERED EXTREMISM IN LATIN AMERICA?
WHAT IS THE RELIGIOUS SHIA CONNECTION COUNTRY TO COUNTRY?

6) (S/NF) ARE THERE ANY INDICATIONS THAT IRANIANS ARE
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ECUADOR’S JUNE 2008 DECISION TO LIFT VISA
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VISITORS TRAVELING TO ECUADOR FOR LESS
THAN 90 DAYS? WHAT STEPS ARE BOLIVIA OR OTHERS TAKING TO LIFT
THEIR VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR IRAN?

7) (S/NF) IS IRAN PERCEIVED AS A LEGITIMATE PARTNER IN
COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS? DOES IRAN HAVE ANY PLANS TO EXTEND
COUNTERNARCOTICS COOPERATION WITH ANY COUNTRIES IN THE
REGION? HOW WILL THIS SORT OF OUTREACH PLAY INTO IRAN’S
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE REST OF THE REGION, ESPECIALLY ITS KEY
ALLIES? WHAT ADVANTAGES, PERHAPS BEYOND ACTUAL EFFECTIVENESS
IN COUNTERING NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING, DO THESE COUNTRIES SEE
IN STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC?

8) (S/NF) WHAT IS THE STATUS OF IRAN’S EXISTING MILITARY
AGREEMENTS WITH LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES? WHAT STATE-TO-STATE
MILITARY AGREEMENTS IS IRAN PURSUING IN LATIN AMERICA?

9) (S/NF) SPECIFICALLY, REGARDING IRAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH
VENEZUELA, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF IRAN’S AGREEMENT WITH
VENEZUELA TO OVERHAUL VENEZUELAN F-5 AIRCRAFT ENGINES, IRAN’S
CONTRACT WITH VENEZUELA TO CONSTRUCT MUNITIONS PLANTS, AND
THE AGREEMENT WITH VENEZUELA TO PROCURE IRANIAN UNMANNED
AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVS) AND LIGHT IRANIAN AIRCRAFT? WHAT IS
VENEZUELA’S LEVEL OF SATISFACTION REGARDING THE QUALITY OF
MILITARY GOODS AND TRAINING IT HAS RECEIVED FROM IRAN? IS
THERE ANY INFORMATION INDICATING PDVSA PLANES ARE BEING USED
TO TRANSPORT ARMS FROM TEHRAN TO DAMASCUS AS REPORTED IN OPEN
SOURCES? IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE
CARACAS-BOUND IRANIAN CARGO SEIZED BY TURKEY? WHO OR WHAT
ENTITY IN THE VENEZUELAN MILITARY OR CAVIM ORDERED IT AND FOR
WHAT PURPOSE? ARE TEHRAN AND CARACAS ACTIVELY PURSUING ANY
FORM OF NUCLEAR COOPERATION? AND IF SO, FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF WEEKLY CONVIASA FLIGHTS BETWEEN CARACAS
AND TEHRAN? DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT THESE ARE BEING
USED FOR TERRORISM PURPOSES?

¶C. (U) FOR LATIN AMERICAN POSTS:

1) (S/NF) WHAT DO LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES WANT FROM IRAN?
HOW ARE REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, ESPECIALLY BUT NOT LIMITED TO
VENEZUELA, BOLIVIA, ECUADOR, AND NICARAGUA, CATERING TO
IRANIAN OVERTURES? TO WHAT EXTENT ARE LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS
CONCERNED ABOUT IRAN’S HISTORIC TIES TO TERRORISM AND THE
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CLOSER TIES TO TEHRAN ON THEIR OWN
INTERNATIONAL STANDING?

2) (S/NF) WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE IRANIAN
DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND THE HOST GOVERNMENTS IN LATIN
AMERICA? WHAT SORT OF DIPLOMATIC COOPERATION DO LATIN
AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS ENVISION WITH IRAN? WHAT ARE THE
GOVERNMENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND DECISION-MAKING REGARDING GAINS
VS COSTS/RISKS OF INVOLVEMENT WITH IRANIAN OFFICIALS? WHAT
LIMITATIONS DO LATIN AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS PLACE ON
COOPERATION WITH IRAN? HOW MUCH DO REGIONAL, US, OR WORLD
REACTIONS FACTOR INTO LATIN AMERICAN POLICYMAKING TOWARDS
IRAN? HOW ARE DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN LATIN AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS
REGARDING INVOLVEMENT WITH IRAN HANDLED?

3) (S/NF) WHAT IS THE STATUS OF AGREEMENTS OR BUSINESS
VENTURES SIGNED BETWEEN IRANIAN ENTITIES AND LATIN AMERICAN
GOVERNMENTS OR PRIVATE FIRMS? WHAT SORT OF FINANCIAL AID OR
CASH TRANSFERS IS TEHRAN PROVIDING TO LATIN AMERICAN
GOVERNMENTS? HOW MUCH AID IS DELIVERED AS OPPOSED TO PROMISED?

4) (S/NF) TO WHAT EXTENT ARE HOST GOVERNMENTS WILLING TO
ASSIST THE U.S. AGAINST THE IRANIAN TARGET?

5) (C/NF) WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITY?
WHICH ARE THE KNOWN HIZBALLAH “CLANS?”

6) (S/NF) WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES AT THE IRANIAN DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS, NGOS, AND IRANIAN CULTURAL CENTERS IN LATIN AMERICA
AND HOW ARE THEY BEING USED TO EXPAND INFLUENCE? WHAT DO
LATIN AMERICAN CONVERTS TO SHIA ISLAM, OR OTHER STUDENTS OF
IRANIAN INDOCTRINATION, DO UPON RETURN TO THE REGION FROM
RELIGIOUS TRAINING IN IRAN? WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
IRANIAN EMBASSIES AND CULTURAL CENTERS AND KNOWN HIZBALLAH
MEMBERS OR SUPPORTERS IN THE REGION?

7) (S/NF) IN ADDITION TO NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, HAS IRAN
ESTABLISHED TIES WITH ANY NONGOVERNMENTAL GROUPS OR
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES? IF SO, WITH WHICH GROUPS/PEOPLES AND WHAT
IS THE CURRENT STATE OF IRAN’S RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE
GROUPS/PEOPLES? HAS IRAN PROVIDED THESE GROUPS/PEOPLES WITH
MONEY OR OTHER SUPPORT? HAVE THE IRANIANS ESTABLISHED ANY
TIES WITH OTHER RADICAL OR TERRORIST GROUPS, LIKE THE FARC?
ARE IRANIAN OFFICIALS OR THEIR SURROGATES INVOLVED IN OTHER
ILLICIT ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS NARCOTRAFFICKING?

¶2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL8-02836 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.

CLINTON