IAEA/IRAN: CANADIAN DEMARCHE TO EL-BARADEI

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001022 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2013 TAGS: PARM KNNP ENRG IR CA IAEA SUBJECT: IAEA/IRAN: CANADIAN DEMARCHE TO EL-BARADEI REF: (A) OTTAWA 963 (B) STATE 79477 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) (C) Further to reftel discussions, Foreign Affairs informed us that the Canadian Head of Mission in Vienna met with IAEA DG El-Baradei on April 7 to urge him to take a tough approach on Iran's nuclear program. El-Baradei responded by defending his non-confrontational approach, and gave no indication that he intends to change course. Foreign Affairs noted that the Canadian Head of Mission is still planning to host a luncheon on April 10 for like-minded IAEA member countries to discuss Iran. Canada is trying to attract a more broadly representative group than the one that met on North Korea, and hopes that some NAM countries will join. KELLY