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