Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ALGIERS399
2006-03-08 10:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IRAN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
how-toVZCZCXRO2023 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHAS #0399 0671057 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 081057Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0426 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0319 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AU PRIORITY 0037
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IAEA UNSC IR AG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IRAN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
BEDJAOUI
REF: STATE 33729
Classified By: DCM Marc Sievers, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IAEA UNSC IR AG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IRAN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
BEDJAOUI
REF: STATE 33729
Classified By: DCM Marc Sievers, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, delivered reftel
demarche during a March 5 meeting with Foreign Minister
Bedjaoui, leaving points in French translation as non-paper.
Ambassador stressed that IAEA DG ElBaradei's report had
confirmed U.S. concerns; Iran has not taken any of the steps
called for in the February 4 IAEA Board resolution. Bedjaoui
said he was not a scientist, but his understanding was that
converting a civilian nuclear program into a military program
was relatively easy. Ambassador noted the U.S. did not
object to the peaceful use of nuclear power. Our concern was
that Iran's civilian program in fact was a cover for a
military program.
2. (C) Bedjaoui said Iran should be dealt with through a
combination of patience and perseverance. Security Council
action against Iran should be kept "as a sword of Damocles"
hanging over the Iranians' heads. Bedjaoui expressed
appreciation for Secretary Rice's statement that the Security
Council was not going to impose sanctions at this time,
calling it a good statement. Ambassador commented that he
understood the Algerian position to be that the Iranian
nuclear file should be handled within the IAEA. The problem
was that the IAEA did not have the capacity to deal with Iran
since Iran was refusing to cooperate. Bedjaoui assured
Ambassador that he would study the non-paper carefully.
3. (U) Note: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and
International Affairs Abbas Araqchi visited Algiers March 7
and met with Prime Minister Ouyahia. Araqchi reportedly gave
Ouyahia a letter from President Ahmadinejad to President
Bouteflika. Although Algerian media coverage of Araqchi's
visit was minimal, the Iranian News Agency quoted Araqchi as
stating that Algeria shared Iran's belief that the issue
should be resolved within the IAEA.
ERDMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IAEA UNSC IR AG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IRAN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
BEDJAOUI
REF: STATE 33729
Classified By: DCM Marc Sievers, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, delivered reftel
demarche during a March 5 meeting with Foreign Minister
Bedjaoui, leaving points in French translation as non-paper.
Ambassador stressed that IAEA DG ElBaradei's report had
confirmed U.S. concerns; Iran has not taken any of the steps
called for in the February 4 IAEA Board resolution. Bedjaoui
said he was not a scientist, but his understanding was that
converting a civilian nuclear program into a military program
was relatively easy. Ambassador noted the U.S. did not
object to the peaceful use of nuclear power. Our concern was
that Iran's civilian program in fact was a cover for a
military program.
2. (C) Bedjaoui said Iran should be dealt with through a
combination of patience and perseverance. Security Council
action against Iran should be kept "as a sword of Damocles"
hanging over the Iranians' heads. Bedjaoui expressed
appreciation for Secretary Rice's statement that the Security
Council was not going to impose sanctions at this time,
calling it a good statement. Ambassador commented that he
understood the Algerian position to be that the Iranian
nuclear file should be handled within the IAEA. The problem
was that the IAEA did not have the capacity to deal with Iran
since Iran was refusing to cooperate. Bedjaoui assured
Ambassador that he would study the non-paper carefully.
3. (U) Note: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and
International Affairs Abbas Araqchi visited Algiers March 7
and met with Prime Minister Ouyahia. Araqchi reportedly gave
Ouyahia a letter from President Ahmadinejad to President
Bouteflika. Although Algerian media coverage of Araqchi's
visit was minimal, the Iranian News Agency quoted Araqchi as
stating that Algeria shared Iran's belief that the issue
should be resolved within the IAEA.
ERDMAN