CONSULTATIONS ON NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY ASSURANCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001624 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2011 TAGS: KNNP PARM SUBJECT: CONSULTATIONS ON NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY ASSURANCES REF: SECSTATE 129965 Classified By: Econ Counselor Stuart Smith, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) EconOff met with Nasser Bourita, Director of United Nations and International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on August 31 to discuss reftel. Bourita was well familiar with the initiative and had a copy of the concept paper. Bourita remarked that the US should not expect a definitive positive endorsement of the proposal from Morocco, but that Morocco would play a moderator and facilitator role during the upcoming IAEA Special Event on Assurances of Nuclear Supply, to be held in Vienna September 19-21. He described the concept as positive, but expressed reservations concerning the proposal's timing as it related to the Iran issue. He said Morocco would encourage continued discussion on the proposal, and although he thought positive movement could be made during the Special Event, he did not think the proposal would be approved this year. ¶2. (C) Bourita also expressed a desire for the US to clearly announce its support for transparent development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. According to Bourita, current US non-proliferation policy has been at the expense of our support for the development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. He suggested the US could create an initiative modeled on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),targeted at the peaceful advance of nuclear technology. He said the issue of assured nuclear fuel supply did not yet apply to Morocco, and would not for a number of years. Instead, he said Morocco was more concerned with developing its knowledge and technological base for nuclear applications in general. (Note: Septel will address the National Electricity Office's plans to explore development of nuclear power to help meet rising demand for electricity in Morocco. While still very preliminary, the company has established a target date of 2015. End note.) ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY