Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS3796
2005-06-01 15:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRANCE TO HELP LIBYA WITH IAEA-MONITORED NUCLEAR

Tags:  PARM KNNP ENRG LY FR IAEA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003796 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR T,NP AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015
TAGS: PARM KNNP ENRG LY FR IAEA
SUBJECT: FRANCE TO HELP LIBYA WITH IAEA-MONITORED NUCLEAR
PROGRAM

REF: 2004 PARIS 8864

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot, Reason 1.4 B/D

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003796

SIPDIS

STATE FOR T,NP AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015
TAGS: PARM KNNP ENRG LY FR IAEA
SUBJECT: FRANCE TO HELP LIBYA WITH IAEA-MONITORED NUCLEAR
PROGRAM

REF: 2004 PARIS 8864

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot, Reason 1.4 B/D


1. (C) Summary: In response to a Libyan request, France is
studying how it might assist Libya with its Russian-built
Tajoura plant. No formal agreement has been signed yet, but
Libyans have asked for assistance in producing radio isotopes
for medical and industrial use, as well as aid in using the
reactor to fuel a desalination plant. The first step is for
France to produce a feasibility study. Eventual French
assistance efforts, however modest, will be in line with
Libya's commitments to the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and article IV of the NPT. France is looking to
consult with the U.S. on this project, as well. End summary.


2. (C) On May 31st, the MFA spokesperson confirmed that Libya
had approached France for assistance with its nuclear program
and that France, in line with Libya's renunciation of WMD and
its ongoing cooperation with the IAEA, had agreed to explore
how it could best assist. We raised this assistance offer on
June 1st with Hugues de Longevialle, MFA action officer
following the issue, who confirmed that Libya had approached
President Chirac during the latter's brief visit to Libya
last November (reftel). Since then, a delegation from the
Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, France's atomic energy
commission-equivalent, traveled to Libya in April and
determined that Libya's Russian-built Tajoura reactor is old,
but in good condition. The IAEA, the U.S. and Libya are
working on converting the plant from High Energy Uranium to
Low Energy Uranium enrichment, we were told.


3. (C) Longevialle noted that no agreement has been signed,
but that France expects to move quickly to sign one during
the summer. France is preparing a feasibility study to
assess how it can best respond to Libya's request for
production of radio isotopes for medical and industrial usage
and how to use the reactor to fuel a desalination plant.
Another component of the likely French offer would be
training for "radio-protection," presumably protection from
radioactivity.


4. (C) Our MFA interlocutor emphasized that the French intent
is to assist Libya with a very modest and focused program,
designed to address Libya's needs. Libya, in turn, must stay
the course with its commitments to the IAEA, which will
continue to monitor Libyan facilities. Longevialle noted
that this French effort tracks with the U.S. approach to
Libya and is in line with article IV of the NPT, which
guarantees access to peaceful use of nuclear energy. He
noted that France would continue to consult with the U.S. on
this program. Libya, unlike Iran which has avoided
transparency in its nuclear program, has earned our
cooperation, he observed.


5. (U) USLO Tripoli minimize considered.

WOLFF