TANZANIA GIVES IRAN BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

S E C R E T DAR ES SALAAM 000640 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT AF/E FOR B YODER, C PELT, AF/RSA FOR J NAY DEPT ALSO FOR IO MOSCOW FOR POL - G8 MEETING E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2016 TAGS: PREL AORC EU EUN IAEA KNNP UNSD IR TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA GIVES IRAN BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT REF: STATE 059562 Classified By: Political Officer Maureen B. Latour for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. Charge delivered reftel demarche regarding increasing diplomatic pressure on Iran to Ambassador Liberatta Mulamula, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Multilateral Division, on April 18, 2006. The Government of Tanzania (GOT) is waiting for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report and will rely on it for guidance regarding further action. The GOT is giving Iran time to prove its enrichment activities are peaceful, but is open to bilateral engagement on the issue. The GOT agrees the onus is on Iran to prove beyond reasonable doubt that its uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes. END SUMMARY Procedure takes precedence -------------- ¶2. (S) Mulamula said the UNSC is politicizing the situation and suggested: "Let's hear from the IAEA and give the benefit of time to show good will, to negotiate and to engage the technical arm." Mulamula said the UN Security Council entrusted the IAEA with the responsibility of conducting the technical evaluation and, therefore, that evaluation must occur before taking further action. Mulamula said the GOT doesn't want to "jump the gun and bend the procedure." Instead, Mulamula said the Government of Tanzania (GOT) is looking forward to receiving the IAEA's report and anticipates that it will guide what action to take. Benefit of the doubt -------------- ¶3. (S) In response to the Charge's comment that Iran has admitted its ability to enrich uranium, Mulamula noted that "it depends on which channel you are watching" as to the extent of Iran's enrichment capability and whether it is for peaceful means. Charge noted that so long as enrichment occurs, the door is open to cheating. Mulamula agreed that the onus is on Iran to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that its enrichment of uranium is for peaceful purposes. Mulamula said she doesn't understand why Iran won't open up to inspectors to prove peaceful purposes of its enrichment activities, but added that the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty mandates IAEA access so Iran does not have a choice on that issue. Bilateral engagement possible -------------- ¶4. (S) Charge urged the GOT to consider unilateral overtures to Iran to return to negotiations. Mulamula suggested that "maybe we can talk with them," regarding Iran's proving the enrichment is for peaceful purposes. She concluded by saying "we'll see what we can do," regarding how to engage the Iranians. Mulamula said she "doesn't see any other action other than diplomatic" as an option and specified that a military solution is not a solution in this kind of situation. Charge said reports that the USG planned to attack or invade Iran were inaccurate and speculative. Mulamula agreed it is important to get Iran back to negotiations and said she had heard that the European Union is considering punitive sanctions. Mulamula suggested that with a number of UN sanctions in effect already, perhaps Iran feels it has nothing else to lose. New York colleagues are engaged -------------- ¶5. (S) Mulamula said the GOT's representatives in New York were called into negotiations on this issue April 18, but that she had not heard any outcome of those meetings. Mulamula said she would contact her GOT colleagues in New York and share USG concerns on the matter. DELLY