ROK WELCOMES U.S. EFFORTS ON IAEA SAFEGUARDS

UNCLAS SEOUL 000558 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM MUNC AORC PREL NP KNNP IAEA KS SUBJECT: ROK WELCOMES U.S. EFFORTS ON IAEA SAFEGUARDS COMMITTEE REF: STATE 25590 ¶1. (SBU) On February 17, poloff conveyed reftel points requesting support for the U.S.-proposed draft program of work and work plan for the IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) Committee on Safeguards and Verification to Kwon Hee-seog, Director of the Disarmament and Nonproliferation Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT). Poloff noted that consultations on these documents would be taking place soon in Vienna. ¶2. (SBU) Director Kwon said that Seoul whole-heartedly accepted the draft work program, which was clearly in line with what was agreed to last June when the IAEA Board of Governors established a Committee on Safeguards and Verification. On the proposed work plan, Director Kwon said his preliminary reaction was that Seoul would generally be supportive of the ambitious and forward-leaning plan, but Seoul would need to listen to the view of other BOG members. Nevertheless, Seoul welcomed and supported the active U.S. efforts because the IAEA Committee was an important matter. He said he would share the documents with the ROK mission in Vienna and with relevant divisions within MOFAT. VERSHBOW