IRAN/UNSC: Demarche Delivered to Vietnam

UNCLAS HANOI 000169 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP AORC TRGY ENRG IAEA IR VM SUBJECT: IRAN/UNSC: Demarche Delivered to Vietnam REF: STATE 6236 ¶1. (SBU) In the absence of available higher-level officials without a lengthy wait for an appointment, Poloff delivered reftel demarche January 20 to Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arms Control Expert Vu Van Mien. Poloff made the point that this is an exceedingly important issue not just to the United States but also to the entire international community. Mien stated that Vietnam believes that Iran has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, but should only do so in accordance with an IAEA safeguards regime. However, Vietnam also strongly supports achieving peaceful, diplomatic solutions to international problems such as Iran's conflict with the IAEA and the EU. Mien said he understood the significance of the demarche and pledged to bring the issue, and the U.S. position, to Foreign Minister Nguyen Dzy Nien the same day. ¶2. (SBU) Later January 20, Mien called back and informed Poloff that the demarche had been delivered to the Foreign Minister's desk, and that the FM's staff said the issue "needs to be considered carefully in the international context." Mien said that Vietnam would not have an official position on the question of referring Iran to the UNSC "for some time" because of the sensitivity of the issue and the need to develop consensus in the Vietnamese leadership. However, he emphasized, Vietnam remains "very concerned" about the fact that the IAEA cannot confirm that Iran's nuclear research is peaceful. BOARDMAN