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