IAEA DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO EGYPT

S E C R E T CAIRO 008877 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IR EG AORC SUBJECT: IAEA DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO EGYPT REF: STATE 202164 Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Following coordination through liaison channels and in the absence of the Deputy Foreign Minister and the Assistant Minister for Multilateral affairs, ECPO Minister Counselor and RMAS Deputy and briefer presented reftel demarche and associated briefing to Deputy assistant minister for Disarmament affairs Dr. Hosam Aly on November 23. Dr. Aly was joined by a notetaker. ¶2. (S/NF) ECPO MinCouns provided the context for the demarche noting the upcoming IAEA board meeting in Vienna and emphasized the threat posed by Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. In response to RMAS representatives presentation of the intelligence briefing, Aly understood that this was the extent of the information we were sharing but said it would be most useful to have the USG assessment of where Iranian nuclear weapons development stood today, and whether, for instance the U.S. had evidence that Iran had a weapons testing facility. Expressing his appreciation for the briefing, Aly said he would present the information he had received to the Foreign Minister the next day. ¶3. (S) In response to a question on Egypt's position at the IAEA, Aly said that Egypt was clearly worried about Iranian moves to acquire nuclear weapons. However, he noted, Egypt's views on regional application of the NPT were clear and that this position posed some difficulties in the case of Iran. In response to a reminder of the immediate threat, Aly quickly acknowledged that Iran was a particularly worrisome case. If Iran acquired nuclear weapons it would be a "unbearable" with "significant consequences," he opined. He said that Egypt's concern at the upcoming board meeting was to avoid a situation where the members publicly differed over how to press Iran on this issue. Aly said Egypt believed either a negotiated Chairman's statement or a Chairman's conclusion might represent a means to avoid any disagreement on pressing Iran. While musing that Iran might be given more time, Aly acknowledged clearly that Iran must not be allowed to draw out its failure to comply with its NPT requirements. Aly concluded by noting that the Egyptian mission in Vienna would coordinate with the U.S. mission. RICCIARDONE