IRAN/IAEA: GOE REAFFIRMS SUPPORT

UNCLAS QUITO 000535 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM KNNP PREL IAEA IR EU AORC EC SUBJECT: IRAN/IAEA: GOE REAFFIRMS SUPPORT REF: A. STATE 33729 ¶B. STATE 19516 ¶1. (SBU) PolChief presented suggested RefTel points for Board member statements at the March 6 IAEA Board of Governors meeting to MFA U/S Mauricio Montalvo on March 3. Montalvo indicated GOE agreement that the DG report met conditions in the Board's earlier resolution to refer Iran to the UNSC, and also agreed that another IAEA resolution was not necessary. Montalvo thanked PolChief for the points, saying the GOE would continue to support international pressure on Iran. ¶2. (U) PolOff on February 10 delivered RefTel points on the February 4 IAEA resolution reporting Iran to the UNSC in a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The MFA on February 23 responded by diplomatic note, below. ¶3. (SBU) MFA Text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Bureau of Multilateral Affairs and International Organizations, presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of the United States, and it is pleased to thank you for your diplomatic note No. POL 027/06 of February 10 of this year, through which you convey the U.S. position on the resolution adopted February 4, 2006 by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),on the nuclear program of Iran. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Multilateral Affairs and International Organizations, is pleased to inform the U.S. that Ecuador voted in favor of said resolution upon considering it as an instrument that would strengthen multilateralism and nonproliferation objectives. In addition, Ecuador reiterated its position of recognizing the inalienable right of all the countries to research and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the Treaty of Nonproliferation, the agreements of safeguards, and other instruments on the matter. Ecuador,s position is based on its belonging to the first area free from nuclear weapons, and its firm commitment to nonproliferation, and to the mission of the IAEA. In this context, the government of Ecuador has always assigned the greatest importance to the process of diplomatic dialogue and consensus on all international conflicts, which is why as a member of the Board of Governors, Ecuador has supported the negotiations pushed by the EU3, and has expressed on several occasions its concern over Iran,s uranium enrichment activities. The lack of a global consensus on disarmament and nonproliferation, the threat of international terrorism, and Western--Middle Eastern intolerance, reveal the need for nations to support the agencies of the United Nations and demonstrate transparency in its actions. The international community cannot tolerate the proliferation and the adoption of unilateral measures that endanger the integrity of the world regimen and peace. In this regard, Ecuador requests from Teheran that it reengage in negotiations, ratify the Additional Protocol, and reconsider its decision to suspend all the voluntary measures of confidence. The world looks with concern at the position of Iran and thus IAEA has taken an additional step to avoid the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Iran needs to produce definitive proof that it has renounced its intent to enrich uranium. Ecuador considers that the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose activities enjoy the complete credibility of the world, a fact proven by the awarding of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize to Director General Mohamed ElBaradei and the IAEA, has the full ability to resolve this crisis through diplomatic channels, but that the United Nations Security Council be informed on this issue by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The solution to this problem has to come from the framework of the multilateral relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, General Bureau of Multilateral Policy and International Agencies, takes advantage of the opportunity to reiterate to the Honorable Embassy of the United States in Ecuador, the assurances of its highest and most distinguished consideration. End MFA Text. JEWELL