SOUTH AFRICA: WASSENAAR MEMBERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 004419

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S, NP/ENCP
NSC FOR AFRICA DIRECTOR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: WASSENAAR MEMBERSHIP

REF: A. STATE 182243

B. PRETORIA 4375

Classified By: Political Counselor Gayleatha B. Brown. Reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)


1. (C) Following up on CDA's discussion with Deputy Foreign
Minister Pahad (ref B),DepPolCouns presented ref A materials
to DFA Deputy Director for Nuclear Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation Michiel Combrink on November 2nd. Combrink
was surprised and pleased to learn of the U.S. decision to
support South Africa's membership in the Wassenaar
Arrangement. He stated the SAG had no objection in principle
to the proposed exchange of notes, adding that although the
draft dipnote texts would have to go through the normal
internal vetting processes, he didn't see anything in the
suggested language that appeared problematic.


2. (C) COMMENT: The South African bureaucracy moves slowly,
but the SAG has a strong interest in joiing Wassenaar, and
Combrink has a well-earned reputation for efficiency. We
expect to be able to conclude the required exchange of notes
prior to the December plenary meeting. END COMMENT.

HARTLEY