PRC/IRAN: IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY MOHAMMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 005077 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP ENRG IR EU AORC CH SUBJECT: PRC/IRAN: IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY MOHAMMED LARIJANI'S VISIT TO BEIJING Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Iranian Presidential Envoy Mohammad Larijani, the elder brother of Iranian Supreme Security Council Secretary General Ali Larijani, hewed closely to Iran's standard positions on its nuclear program during his March 14-16 Beijing visit, but he did not repeat threats that Iran would withdraw from the NPT or refuse to cooperate with the IAEA, according to MFA West Asian and North African Department Deputy Director General Zhang Xun. Zhang, who participated in Larijani's meetings, said Larijani met with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing but not with China's senior political leaders. Larijani sought a compromise on the uranium enrichment moratorium issue, offering greater IAEA oversight and a partial and temporary halt to enrichment activities. FM Li urged Iran to be more flexible. There was little discussion of energy issues or other bilateral matters, given the focus on the nuclear issue, Zhang said. End Summary. Iran Downplays Threats -------------- ¶2. (C) Deputy Director General of the MFA West Asian and North African Department Zhang Xun told Polmincouns March 17 that Iranian Presidential Envoy Mohammad Javad Ardeshir Larijani, the elder brother of Iranian Supreme Security Council Secretary General Ali Larijani, did not stray during his March 14-16 visit to Beijing from Iran's long-held position that it must safeguard its right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology. Larijani did not, however, repeat previous Iranian threats that Iran would withdraw from the NPT or would refuse to cooperate with the IAEA. Iran is very worried about the current situation, Zhang said. Iran Looking For Compromise on Enrichment Moratorium -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Zhang, who participated in Larijani's meetings, said Larijani met with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing but not with China's senior political leaders, who were not available for meetings. Larijani indicated that Iran would accept stricter controls and greater supervision from the IAEA if its right to pursue peaceful research and development of nuclear technology were guaranteed. He offered to allow IAEA inspectors to reside on site at Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran is prepared to halt its nuclear enrichment activities but wants a set a time limit for the moratorium. Iran is not willing to promise a comprehensive halt to its enrichment program, only a "partial halt" to enrichment activities, Zhang stated. FM Li Urged Iranians to be More Flexible -------------- ¶4. (C) Zhang said FM Li told Larijani that "only the Iranians can help the Iranians" out of the current tense situation. FM Li urged Iran to be more flexible, to seriously consider the Russian proposal and to restore talks with the EU-3. Li advised Larijani to adopt the Chinese philosophical precept of putting the needs and benefits of the people ahead of the needs of the leadership. The MFA considers Larijani to be well connected to Iran's top leadership and hopes Larijani will be able to convey China's position to Iran's supreme leaders, Zhang said. No Letter Passed to President Hu -------------- ¶5. (C) Zhang said the Iranian press reported that Larijani passed a letter to President Hu Jintao, but these reports are not true. Perhaps Larijani did not forward the letter because he was not able to get a meeting with Hu. Regardless, Zhang said he believes the two sides discussed all issues that would have been contained in any letter to Hu. Little Substance on Energy, Bilateral Relations -------------- -- ¶6. (C) Polmincouns asked Zhang if the two sides discussed energy cooperation or other bilateral issues during the Larijani visit. Zhang said the Chinese and Iranians exchanged principled statements on strengthening cooperation on energy issues, but given the focus of discussions on the nuclear problem, the two sides spent little time discussing energy or bilateral matters. Asked if the PRC and Iran signed any energy-related contracts during Larijani's visit, Zhang said no such contracts were signed. Next Steps at UNSC Towards a Presidential Statement -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00005077 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) Polmincouns asked Zhang's views on next steps at the UNSC towards a Presidential Statement. Zhang said he defers to the MFA International Organizations Department and the Chinese Permanent Mission in New York on the issue. He added that Iran must not get nuclear weapons and that this objective must be accomplished by diplomatic means. Iran needs more time to take corrective measures in response to the IAEA Director General's report. The UNSC should not back Iran into a corner. If Iran feels overly pressured it will resort to pursuing a full-scale uranium enrichment and a full-scale nuclear weapons program. The P-5 should continue to hold discussions at the UNSC on formulating a stance that is acceptable to all the arties. China hopes to continue working withthe United States in reaching a consensus. Polmincouns responded that giving Iran more time will not solve the problem. He urged that China do all it can to help find a constructive way to move forward in New York on a Presidential Statement. RANDT