Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
06DOHA1791 | 2006-12-28 11:16:00 | SECRET | Embassy Doha |
ACTION NEA-00 INFO LOG-00 AF-00 ACQ-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 EAP-00 EUR-00 VCI-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 MOF-00 AC-00 VCIE-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 NSCE-00 OMB-00 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 ISNE-00 SP-00 SS-00 SVC-00 TRSE-00 T-00 IIP-00 PMB-00 DRL-00 G-00 SCA-00 SAS-00 /000W ------------------629C72 281308Z /62 P 281116Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5976 CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO IRAN COLLECTIVE |
S E C R E T DOHA 001791 |
1. (S) Summary. A Qatar-based Jordanian nuclear expert believes he and other participants of an IAEA workshop in Tehran in December were targeted by internal security services. He said the Iranian nuclear agency had increased its security. The Iranian official in charge of safety at the Bushehr plant is not adequately trained, he said. He believes "Persians" aim to dominate the region. End Summary. Targetted Thefts -------------------------- 2. (S) Dr. Ahmed al-Khatibeh, director of nuclear applications at Qatar's Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves, described his negative view of aspects of a mid-December regional training program in Tehran sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Al-Khatibeh said he did not attend the first week because it conflicted with responsibilities during Doha's Asian Games, but he was a trainer/presenter during the second week. The workshop was aimed at the Middle East/Central Asia region and dealt with "emergency response for first responders." He was the only participant from Qatar. 3. (S) Al-Khatibeh said that course participants were surveilled by two persons in an old car whenever they left their hotel. On one occasion, al-Khatibeh and one other man were accosted by the two, who said they were police and demanded identification. Al-Khatibeh asked to see their credentials, at which point they withdrew. Al-Khatibeh reported the incident to the Iranian organizers and warned the other participants. Nevertheless, two other particpants were accosted in a similar manner and were robbed of substantial sums of cash. Later, a thief cut the strap of the purse of a female participant and made off with it. Al-Khatibeh said that the two suspects in the car appeared to know the times the group members would leave the hotel. He felt the Iranian host agency was unresponsive and did not want incidents reported to the IAEA. 4. (S) Al-Khatibeh said that the Iranian police were informed of the thefts. He was suspicious that they said they located the car "within ten minutes" of the report, although Tehran is a huge city, and the suspects were not apprehended. Security at Agency HQ in Tehran -------------------------- 5. (S) Al-Khatibeh said that increased security at the Iranian nuclear agency's headquarters was significant. IAEA staff were not allowed to bring in anything electronic or any digital storage media. Criticism of Al-Baradei -------------------------- 6. (S) Al-Khatibeh said that the IAEA was too late in dealing with Iran. He singled out Mohammed al-Baradei as not being tough enough at an early stage. Now, Gulf states are dealing with Iran as a potential and future nuclear weapons state. He explained Qatar's strategy as "cooperating for the long term" because Iran will gain strength. Al-Khatibeh believes that Persians (his term) by nature want to dominate the region and even rebuild their empire. Criticism of Bushehr Safety Official -------------------------- 7. (S) Al-Khatibeh said that the Iranian safety expert in charge of the Bushehr nuclear facility was not adequately qualified, though he did not say that the Bushehr facility was risky. Biographic Information -------------------------- 8. (C) Ahmed Jamil Khatibeh is Jordanian and has PhD in nuclear physics. He has not studied in the U.S. He is dedicated to his field of work rather than politics. He has strong ties with Lawrenc Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories throgh bilateral and regional activities. He has not commented favorably or unfavorably regarding U.S. policies in the region. UNTERMEYER |