GOT CONCURS WITH USG WAY AHEAD ON IAEA/IRAN,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004239 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2013 TAGS: IR KNNP MNUC PARM PREL SUBJECT: GOT CONCURS WITH USG WAY AHEAD ON IAEA/IRAN, STRESSES THAT IRAN MUST COOPERATE UNCONDITIONALLY WITH IAEA REF: A. ODLUM-MEANS E-MAIL (6-30-03) ¶B. SECSTATE 186962 ¶1. (U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶2. (C) Per ref A, we delivered ref B demarche on July 2 to Ibrahim Yagli, Head of the Disarmament Department at the MFA. Yagli concurred with the way ahead outlined in our demarche, and stressed that the GOT position on this matter is that the GOI must cooperate unconditionally with the IAEA inspection process. However, he also said that, presuming Iran does begin to cooperate with the IAEA, the international community should display the appropriate degree of appreciation and encouragement. ¶3. (C) Commenting on the June BOG meeting, Yagli said that he believes that the GOI was surprised by the unity displayed by the international community on this issue, understands the gravity of the international community's message, and that Iran now has no choice but to cooperate with the IAEA. Yagli was skeptical that the GOI would now employ the tactic of inviting national experts to visit Iranian nuclear facilities, asserting that it is clear that the international community (including the GOT) would never respect a report from "national inspectors." Polmiloff pointed out that not every member of the international community is as convinced as the USG and the GOT that the particularities of the Iranian nuclear program pose a threat to international security -- some are looking for any reason to excuse the GOI's actions. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: While the GOT shares USG concerns in full regarding the GOI's nuclear program, Yagli's comments possibly reflect a more sanguine attitude within the GOT regarding the intention of the GOI to cooperate fully with the IAEA in the aftermath of the June BOG meeting, as well as the steadfastness of the international community. Yagli has always displayed a great deal of appreciation for the information provided by Washington on the GOI's nuclear program. Any information which Washington can provide the GOT regarding the degree of the GOI's cooperation with the IAEA will be of great assistance. PEARSON