Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BERLIN3058
2006-10-20 17:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

NSG - GERMAN REACTION TO INDIA PRESENTATION ON

Tags:  ENRG ETTC KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY IN GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHRL #3058 2931718
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201718Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5734
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0472
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0230
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 003058 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR, SCA, ISN, T, AND P

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016
TAGS: ENRG ETTC KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY IN GM
SUBJECT: NSG - GERMAN REACTION TO INDIA PRESENTATION ON
CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION

REF: A. UNVIE 762


B. BERLIN 2976

C. BERLIN 2506 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 003058

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR, SCA, ISN, T, AND P

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016
TAGS: ENRG ETTC KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TRGY IN GM
SUBJECT: NSG - GERMAN REACTION TO INDIA PRESENTATION ON
CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION

REF: A. UNVIE 762


B. BERLIN 2976

C. BERLIN 2506 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) German MFA NSG Desk Officer Joerg Polster told Global
Affairs officer October 20 that India's October 12
presentation on the margins of the NSG Consultative Group
meeting (ref A),while helpful, had done little to change
German thinking on civil nuclear cooperation with India.
Polster stated the Indian presentation focused mainly on
energy, without giving sufficient attention to
nonproliferation. Polster said he hoped the follow-on Q&A
helped India understand it must do more to engage the
international community, not just the United States.


2. (C) Polster reiterated Germany would continue to watch
legislative developments in Washington -- and India's
reaction to the final text of U.S. legislation -- before
taking a formal position. He said Germany would like to see
convincing evidence that nuclear cooperation with India will
strengthen the nonproliferation regime and reiterated
Germany's expectation that India take concrete steps to
demonstrate its commitment to nonproliferation (ref C).
Polster said the NPT is a cornerstone of German foreign
policy and pointed out that German FM Steinmeier, in an
October 19 address to the German parliament, said Germany is
committed to "putting the issue of nuclear disarmament back
at the top of the political agenda," particularly in the
context of its upcoming G-8 and EU presidencies.


3. (C) Polster said German insistence that India take
concrete action to demonstrate its commitment to
nonproliferation is driven by the necessity of convincing the
German public -- and members of parliament inside and outside
the coalition -- that civil nuclear cooperation will not
support the production of nuclear weapons in India. Polster
said the lack of specificity in India's separation plan,
along with Indian insistence on an India-specific safeguards
agreement with the IAEA, had not allayed such concerns.
Polster said Germany welcomes Indian steps to strengthen its
export controls, but added "the big questions have still not
been resolved."


4. (C) Polster noted the Indian delegation that traveled to
Vienna had met separately with the German delegation October

10. Polster said the German delegation tried to convince
Indian delegates to focus on persuading all NSG members, not
just the United States. According to Polster, the German
delegation pointed to German-Indian efforts to build a
strategic partnership and stressed the importance of building
a stable foundation. Polster said the German delegation
urged India to take concrete action to signal India's
commitment to nonproliferation. In response, Polster said,
the Indian delegation pointed to the Indian government's
difficult domestic situation.


5. (C) While Germany has found high-level discussion with
U.S. officials useful, Polster said, Germany sees a need for
more high-level Indian engagement on the issue. Polster
stressed Germany has not taken a negative position on the
agreement, but -- before taking a positive position -- would
like India to address the perception that civil nuclear
cooperation will give India all of the benefits of being a
nuclear weapons state without requiring it to assume the
associated responsibilities. Polster said Germany would
welcome further high-level Indian outreach and requested U.S.
assistance in encouraging India to do so.
KOENIG