SENEGALESE REACTION TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 001299 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/IR, NEA/ARP, AF/RSA AND AF/W LONDON FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER PARIS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER D'ELIA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV CH IR SG SUBJECT: SENEGALESE REACTION TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN REF: A. STATE 87682 ¶B. DAKAR 00932 (NOTAL) Classified By: Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d) . ¶1. (C) On June 1, the Ambassador and DCM called on President Wade to deliver Ref A points orally, leaving him a copy of the transcript of the Secretary,s press conference. The Ambassador reminded Wade that they had discussed his planned visit to Iran when the Ambassador presented her credentials (Ref B). The Ambassador emphasized the menace that Iran poses, the significant change in U.S. policy, and the choices that Iran has. The Ambassador also asked Wade to provide public support for the U.S. diplomatic initiative. ¶2. (C) Wade revealed that three months ago the Ambassadors of France, Germany and the UK had asked him to use his good offices to mediate between Iran and the U.S. He said he had recently asked the Ambassadors if their governments still desired his mediation, and they responded affirmatively. Wade also said he had seen Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad at the last Organization of the Islamic Conferences (OIC) Summit in Mecca and that it is possible that Wade will travel to Iran at the end of June following his trip to China. ¶3. (C) As for support and public statements, Wade was very clear that he is not obliged to intervene. He declared that he wants to promote peace and may convoke the Iranian Ambassador to discuss his possible trip to Iran, an agenda for the visit, and the nuclear issue. He asked if the U.S. would be satisfied with temporary suspension of uranium enrichment, and the Ambassador indicated that we sought a permanent suspension. Wade said he believes that the African Union (AU) should develop a common position that can be discussed at the AU Summit in Banjul. Wade stressed that Senegal wants to promote peace and that he will only discuss the nuclear issue with the Iranian leadership if his mediation can succeed -- otherwise it will not be on the agenda. ¶4. (U) Senegalese media today report the Secretary,s statement, characterizing it as a softening of the U.S. position. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Wade was uncharacteristically cautious in responding to the demarche. He does not want to take sides in a dispute between two aid donors. His revelation that the EU-3 have repeatedly asked him to mediate between the U.S. and Iran was news to us. END COMMENT. JACOBS