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
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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
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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