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