TAIWAN RESPONSE TO U.S. INITIATIVE ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 001856

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR TW
SUBJECT: TAIWAN RESPONSE TO U.S. INITIATIVE ON IRAN

REF: STATE 87682

Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) AIT Director met with Taiwan National Security
Secretary General Chiou I-jen June 1 in the absence of the

SIPDIS
Foreign Minister,as instructed reftel. The Director reviewed
the background to the Secretary's announcement of the United
States' new initiative on Iran and requested that Taiwan
publicly express its support for this approach and for
efforts to reinforce the message that there need to be
benefits and penalities depending on the path Iran chooses.


2. (C) Chiou responded that Taiwan supports the U.S. approach
to Iran and has been careful, in deference to U.S. concerns,
not to take any steps to improve ties with Tehran, including
opening a trade office. He said that he would speak to Vice
Foreign Minister Michael Kau about our demarche and requested
that AIT contact Kau as well.


3. (C) AIT Deputy Director subsequently spoke to Vice
Minister Kau. Kau said that Taiwan was fully prepared to
issue such a statement. They have fully supported the IAEA
and U.S. policy toward Iran. He requested AIT provide MOFA
the statements we have made on this initiative and promised
MOFA would issue its own statement June 2. AIT provided MOFA
the Secretary's May 31 statement and the May 31 Washington
File article entitled "United States Offers to Join
European-Iranian Nuclear Talks."
YOUNG