TANZANIA CONDEMNS DPRK NUCLEAR TEST, SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 001681 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN, EAP AND IO ALSO PLEASE PASS TO AF/E FOR B YODER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2011 TAGS: PREL KN PARM KNNP TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA CONDEMNS DPRK NUCLEAR TEST, SUPPORT FOR CHAPTER VII NOT YET CLEAR REF: STATE 169418 Classified By: Classified by D. Purnell Delly, Charge D'Affaires, for r eason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On October 11, the Charge d'Affaires underscored to Ambassador Mulamula, Director of the Multilateral Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the grave threat posed by North Korea's recent nuclear test (reftel). Ambassador Mulamula affirmed that the Government of Tanzania (GOT) had denounced North Korea's test both within the Security Council and publicly, through Tanzania's local press. While Mulamula declined to express support for a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution based on Chapter VII, she emphasized the GOT's commitment to a swift, strong response, condemning North Korea's provocative act. Ambassador Mulamula also expressed hope that the USG would consider initiating bilateral talks with North Korea if all else fails to resolve the crisis. END SUMMARY. Tanzania Publicly Denounces North Korean Provocation -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador Mulamala said that in addition to condemning the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear test in the Security Council, the GOT had also publicly condemned North Korea's test on October 10 with a front page press release in the Daily News (a local English newspaper). The article quotes Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Asha Rose Migiro, stating, "Tanzania would never approve Pyongyang's nuclear tests." Ambassador Mulamula added that while the GOT's public condemnation was clear, Tanzania's civil society was more divided on the issue, with some voices defending North Korea's right to defend itself. Tanzania Committed to "Strong," Diplomatic Response -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) The Charge d'Affaires underlined the grave threat posed by North Korea's proliferation of ballistic missile technology and now the possibility of nuclear arms proliferation. While Ambassador Mulamula declined to support the adoption of a UNSC resolution based on Chapter VII, she said the GOT supported "strong measures to send a strong message to the DPRK." While emphasizing that the UNSC needed to adopt a firm action plan to condemn the DPRK's behavior, she added that the approach would also have to ensure a diplomatic path out of the crisis in the longer-term. ¶4. (C) Fearing that a total blockade, as supported by Japan, would increase North Korea's defiance and "suffocate" millions of innocent people, Ambassador Mulamula clarified that the GOT supported "strong measures within allowable limits." She then quoted Secretary Rice's commitment to a diplomatic solution. Stressing the need for the Security Council to take a stand with "teeth," the CDA repeated that Chapter VII was necessary to ensure effective sanctions, preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology. ...Hoping for Six Party Talks to Resume -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Mulamula raised the possibility of resuming Six Party Talks with North Korea or U.S.-DPRK bilateral talks, perhaps through a proxy. She noted her belief that the DPRK was seeking attention and that there were countries such as China and the U.S. who had special leverage over North Korea to advance negotiations. The CDA stressed that the USG had made repeated overtures to resume multilateral talks with the North Koreans but that the DPRK had refused to take these offers seriously. He also emphasized that while the USG had reaffirmed its commitment to defend Japan and other allies in the region, that the risk of an arms race could destabilize the East Asian region should North Korea continue its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Giving her assurances that the GOT would work with the USG to find a solution, Ambassador Mulamula added that the GOT looked to Washington for a way out of the crisis. Comment: -------------- ¶6. (C) In the past the GOT has hesitated to make public statements on controversial international issues such as Iran or Iraq. The GOT's blunt public statement on North Korea in the Daily News indicates that the GOT is seriously alarmed by the DPRK's defiant actions. Although in favor of a decisive, swift response, Ambassador Mulamula appeared unprepared to comment on the adoption of a Chapter VII UNSC resolution at this time. The GOT seems to view North Korea as a rational actor seeking attention, and to fear the impact of a harsh response on the impoverished North Korean people. Ambassador Mulamula emphasized the GOT's hope that getting multilateral talks back on track, or even resuming bilateral U.S.-North Korean talks, could avert regional destabilization and help alleviate the suffering of North Korean civilians. END COMMENT. DELLY