IRAN: TANZANIA BELIEVES MORE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000125

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E FOR B YODER, AF/RSA FOR J NAY
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IR EU AORC TZ
SUBJECT: IRAN: TANZANIA BELIEVES MORE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS,
WORKING THROUGH IAEA NEEDED BEFORE REPORTING TO UNSC

REF: STATE 06236

Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor Mary B.
Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).





Summary
--------------

1. (C) Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Head of the
Multilateral Division of Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, told PolOff January 19 that Tanzania believes
recognizing the competency of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) and allowing the IAEA to follow
procedures is the preferred approach to Iran. The
Government of Tanzania (GOT) believes that discussion on
referring the Iran situation to the U.N. Security Council
(UNSC) needs to wait until the IAEA has met and made a
formal recommendation. Since Iran is a signatory to the
Non-Proliferation Treaty, Mulamula stated, all actions
should proceed within that framework. Preemptive actions
not within the NPT parameters could possibly provoke Iran
to withdraw from the NPT, as occurred with the Democratic
Peoples Republic of Korea in 2003. Mulamula welcomed the
U.S. suggestion for a "gradual approach" and suggested that
the U.S. keep all avenues for negotiations open. Ambassador
Mulamula also asked that the GOT, currently chair of the
UNSC, be kept apprised of developments in the USG approach,
including the next steps we intend to take. "No surprises;
please let us know what you are planning to do," she
requested. End summary.


2. (C) In response to reftel points and non-paper,
Ambassador Mulamula stressed that Tanzania welcomes the
U.S. call for a graduated approach to convince Iran to
comply with its NPT obligations and was glad to hear that
the U.S. still believes the issue can be resolved
diplomatically. She also stressed the GOT saw no need to
"label" Iran or any country as a "rogue state" or other
such branding, since such language can push a country
toward isolation rather than encouraging the country to
continue negotiating. Tanzania's basic position is that
all signatories to the NPT must meet their obligations:
those nations with nuclear weapons should disarm; those
without should not take steps to acquire them. Mulamula
urged that UN member states recognize the competency of the
IAEA and that, until the IAEA has convened a meeting on
Iran and made its decision, no member state should presume
that the IAEA recommendation will be to refer Iran to the
UNSC.

Iran's NPT membership best leverage
--------------

3. (C) Ambassador Mulamula reiterated that as long as Iran
remains a member of the NPT, there is leverage and room for
negotiations. She cautioned against any actions that might
precipitate a sudden reaction from Iran, such as ithdrawing
from the NPT. She stated that in addition to economic
incentives in line with those offered by the EU-3 in August
2005, Iran may also need "moral" incentives such as
security assurances that no country that already has
nuclear weapons would act against Iran. In Tanzania's view,
Iran may be sensing that it is "vulnerable"; thus the
importance at this point in time of proceeding gradually
and in close consultations with all UNSC members.

U.S. Next Steps
--------------

4. (C) Ambassador Mulamula stated that currently Tanzania's
position is that the IAEA should be in the lead and should
give or write a report to the UNSC as it chooses. The GOT
would like to see all IAEA procedures followed in the
proscribed order. Mulamula asked what the next USG steps
will be regarding Iran. Since Tanzania has the UNSC
presidency during January, she stated that the GOT would
appreciate it if the USG would keep Tanzania, particularly
Tanzania's UN Mission, closely informed of our position and
intended next steps. "We do not want to listen to rumors
and we do not want any surprises. Please keep us nformed,"
she closed.
DELLY