IRAN/IAEA DEMARCHE -- NIGERIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001038 SIPDIS UNVIE FOR IAEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC TRGY IR NI IAEA SUBJECT: IRAN/IAEA DEMARCHE -- NIGERIA REF: STATE 122673 Classified By: COUNSELOR JAMES MAXSTADT FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) June 9, POLOFF delivered reftel demarche and non-paper to MFA First United Nations Division Director Ambassador Abdul Bin Rimdap. Rimdap agreed that the IAEA must continue to apply pressure on Iran to fully comply with its NPT obligations, however, he cautioned that the GON would not support making a drastically stronger statement on Iran than has been made previously by the IAEA Board of Governors. Rimdap preferred continuing dialogue with Tehran and warned that too strong of a statement from the BOG might cause Iran to follow North Korea's lead and disregard the NPT and the IAEA's inspections all together. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Until September 2003, Rimdap served as Nigeria's ambassador in Vienna and is quite conversant on this subject. His views on engagement with Iran are likely representative of those of his colleagues still in Vienna. END COMMENT. CAMPBELL