Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV1787
2006-05-08 14:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
NSG TROIKA CONDUCTS OUTREACH WITH ISRAELI
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 001787
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
STATE FOR ISN/NESS (DELABARRE)
DEPT OF ENERGY FOR DOE/NNSA/NA-242 (GOOREVICH)
UNVIE FOR LISA HILLIARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MNUC PINS PINR PGOV KNNP PARM IR IS UNSC UN GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: NSG TROIKA CONDUCTS OUTREACH WITH ISRAELI
INTER-MINISTERIAL TEAM
REF: TEL AVIV 1722
Classified By: Political Counselor Norm Olsen. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 001787
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
STATE FOR ISN/NESS (DELABARRE)
DEPT OF ENERGY FOR DOE/NNSA/NA-242 (GOOREVICH)
UNVIE FOR LISA HILLIARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MNUC PINS PINR PGOV KNNP PARM IR IS UNSC UN GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: NSG TROIKA CONDUCTS OUTREACH WITH ISRAELI
INTER-MINISTERIAL TEAM
REF: TEL AVIV 1722
Classified By: Political Counselor Norm Olsen. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) troika representatives
held discussions April 27 with an inter-ministerial team led
by the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) as part of the
NSG's outreach to Israel. Current NSG Chairman Ambassador
Naess (Norway) updated the Israeli side on changes made to
the NSG's guidelines since the June 2005 NSG plenary in Oslo.
Naess and NSG Consultative Group Chairman Richard Goorevich
(DOE/NNSA) noted that the NSG is currently discussing several
issues, including criteria for the supply of sensor
technology to third countries, the definition of "restraint,"
and how to control stable isotope separation technology.
Naess said the NSG is constantly assessing whether an
extraordinary plenary should be convened in advance of the
June 2006 NSG plenary in Rio de Janeiro, in light of the Iran
nuclear crisis. Naess noted that while future NSG Chairman
Ambassador Jose Medeiros (Brazil) was unable to accompany the
other troika members to Israel, he looks forward to meeting
the Israeli ambassador to the IAEA in Vienna.
2. (C) The Israeli side expressed gratitude for the NSG's
outreach to Israel, and pledged Israel's steadfast commitment
to the NSG's nonproliferation agenda. IAEC Director General
Gideon Frank pressed the NSG troika for a formal answer to
Israel's request to the NSG in 2005 to be accorded NSG
"adherent status." The Israeli side expressed its serious
concerns about the threat a nuclear-armed Iran would pose to
Israel, and asked questions to ascertain what the NSG could
do to stave off that threat. The Israeli side also made
presentations on how Israel views current trends in
nonproliferation, and how Israel is strengthening its export
control system. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NSG "ADHERENT" STATUS FOR ISRAEL
--------------
3. (C) Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) Director
General Gideon Frank stressed the importance Israel places on
its dialogue with the NSG, and the "utmost importance" the
GOI places on implementing export control legislation. Frank
noted Israel's desire to receive a response to its letter to
the NSG requesting formal recognition of Israel's adherence
to the NSG guidelines. Frank noted his expectation that
formalizing Israel's status with the NSG would "yield
tangible benefits," but did not elaborate on what those
benefits would be.
4. (C) Frank said that he believes Israel can positively
influence the development of international nonproliferation
norms, and assured the troika that Israel would continue to
"synchronize its activities with those of the NSG." He
listed as examples of Israel's activity in the area of
nonproliferation: (A) Israel's submission of a report to the
UN on its fulfillment of UNSCR 1540 obligations, and its
support for the Security Council Committee's efforts on UNSCR
1540 implementation; (B) Israel's active work on the
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials,
and its support for the convention's adoption; (C) Israel's
work on the Nuclear Terrorism Committee, and its support for
the committee's work; (D) Israel's membership in the DOE's
Megaports Initiative; (E) Israel's favorable consideration of
the U.S. Container Security Initiative; (F) Israel's intent
to join the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) and to
participate in the U.S. reactor fuel conversion program; and
(G) Israel's support for MANPADS initiatives in the
Conference on Disarmament. Frank added that Israel is active
in the IAEA Experts Group on Enhancing Safeguards, and that
Israel is the deputy chair of the UN Disarmament Committee.
5. (C) NSG Chairman Ambassador Roald Naess (Norway) explained
that the NSG's delay in responding to Israel's formal request
for designation as an "adherent" was due to the NSG's need to
achieve consensus in drawing up a response. He noted that,
since the Oslo plenary, the NSG had taken up discussion on
its relations with non-adhering countries and possible
association. He said that incoming NSG Chairman Ambassador
Medeiros (Brazil) intends to obtain a consensus decision on
"adherent" or "associate" status at the June NSG Plenary in
Rio de Janeiro. Naess conveyed Medeiros's apologies for his
absence, and noted the Brazilian ambassador's hope to meet
Isaeli Ambassador Michaeli in Vienna in the near future.
--------------
UPDATE ON PROGRESS SINCE OSLO PLENARY
--------------
6. (C) Naess updated the Israeli side on changes made to the
NSG guidelines based on decisions from the last NSG plenary
in Oslo: (A) new text was added that concerns the transport
of trigger list items; (B) there is a new section D in
paragraph 9 of document I concerning controls and
re-transfer, that says suppliers should consider restraint;
(C) there is a new paragraph 15 that has been introduced in
accordance with UNSCR 1540; and (D) there is a new paragraph
16 with new language on consultative mechanisms.
7. (C) Goorevich updated the Israelis on the last
Consultative Group meeting, noting that members agreed to
recommend the addition of UF-6-resistant bellows sealed
valves to the trigger list to prevent Iran and others from
purchasing them. He said the Consultative Group is also
developing language for review at the Rio Plenary that would
control technologies associated with stable isotope
separation. Goorevich cautioned that the stable isotope
separation issue could prove problematic because there is
increasingly a legitimate need for such technology in
non-nuclear industry (e.g., in semiconductor manufacturing).
The challenge is to control the technology in a way that does
not unduly affect industry. Goorevich noted that discussion
of this issue follows on the heels of discussions with the
South Koreans on their use of lasers for isotope separation
involving uranium.
--------------
ISRAEL HOPES THE NSG WILL TAKE ACTION ON IRAN
--------------
8. (C) Responding to Frank's question about how the NSG could
address Iran, Naess said that an NSG determination of IAEA
safeguards noncompliance raises the question of suspending
cooperation with the noncompliant country. He noted that
most NSG members have already suspended supply to Iran, even
while the NSG as a body has taken no decision to suspend
supply to Iran. The natural follow-up to suspension would be
for NSG members to terminate some contracts with Iran. Naess
cautioned, however, that this would require a decision
"elsewhere in the system." He added, "If the UN Security
Council decides on sanctions against Iran, then we will have
a new situation."
9. (C) Naess noted that the NSG invoked its noncompliance
mechanism in October 2005, following the IAEA resolution on
Iran in September. Subsequently, NSG member states in the
IAEA issued statements signaling their agreement with Naess's
statement and support for EU-3 and IAEA activities on Iran.
Naess said that the NSG is constantly assessing whether an
extraordinary plenary is needed, and is now considering the
matter in light of IAEA DG ElBaradei's report on Iran to the
UNSC. Based on the report, the NSG will determine if another
extraordinary plenary is necessary, or if the NSG can wait
for the regular plenary scheduled for June. He stressed that
the NSG would only want an extraordinary plenary, however, if
it would yield decisions.
10. (C) Gil Reich from the IAEC asked whether the troika
could confirm rumors he had heard that there would be an
extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) in
the near future. Goorevich replied that an extraordinary BOG
meeting would depend on whether suppliers see an Article 12
violation leading to an extraordinary NSG meeting. If the
IAEA, after consultations, rules that there has been an
Article 12 violation, then this would lead to another round
of consultations that could yield a decision to terminate
supply. Goorevich clarified that while decisions to suspend
or terminate supply apply only to the NSG's trigger list, it
would be hard to see NSG members sending dual-use times to
Iran in the wake of such decisions.
--------------
U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE
--------------
11. (C) Naess said that the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation
initiative caused much discussion in the NSG, and noted that
many NSG members are waiting for answers from India,
especially about its separation plan and how it intends to
implement IAEA-mandated safeguards. Naess said that the U.S.
and India want the NSG to make a decision on the initiative
that will allow for U.S.-Indian coordination. Naess
characterized this call as premature, saying that in the
NSG's view, the "ball is now in India's court," and that many
NSG members prefer to wait for reactions from the U.S.
Congress and India's parliament before ruling on the
initiative.
-------------- --------------
PRESENTATIONS ON NONPROLIFERATION TRENDS, EXPORT CONTROLS
-------------- --------------
12. (C) IAEC Nonproliferation Department Director Gil Reich
then made a presentation on how Israel views trends in the
nonproliferation arena. In his briefing, Reich emphasized
that Israel's formal recognition as an adherent would help
bring non-participating states into the NSG; and that Israel
will never challenge the NPT or the principles on which it
stands. MFA Arms Control Division Director Alon Bar stressed
the need to continue work on nonproliferation. He said he
hopes steps will be taken to ensure that U.S.-India nuclear
cooperation will not increase proliferation risks.
13. (SBU) MFA Export Control Department Director Haim Waxman
updated the NSG troika on the steps Israel is taking to
strengthen and transform its export control system. In his
presentation, he (A) stressed the key role that export
controls play in combating proliferation; (B) noted that
Israel has catch-all provisions in its export control
legislation; and (C) pointed out that Israel will be adhering
to all the major nonproliferation regimes after the Knesset
passes the draft Defense Export Control Act and a control
order on dual-use export controls later this year.
14. (SBU) Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL)
Chemical Administration Deputy Director Zeev Berel updated
the NSG troika on the steps MOITAL is taking to educate
Israeli industry on new, dual-use export control reporting
obligations. Berel noted a recent success story in which an
Israeli company contacted MOITAL about an export license for
tantalum -- a metal that has dual-use applications. Reich
added that the IAEC plays a key role in educating Customs
officers on sensitive nuclear and dual-use technology, and
said that the IAEC still has work to do in this area.
--------------
PARTICIPANTS
--------------
15. (U) The participants on the Israeli side were:
-- IAEC Director General Gideon Frank
-- IAEC Director for Nonproliferation Gil Reich
-- IAEC Director for Arms Control Merav Zafary
-- IAEC Assistant Director for External Relations Ronen Shaul
-- Israeli Ambassador to the IAEA Israel Michaeli
-- MFA Arms Control Division Director Alon Bar
-- Keren Shahar Ben-Ami from the MFA's Office of the Legal
Adviser
-- MFA Export Controls Department Director Haim Waxman
-- MOITAL Deputy Director for Chemical Administration Zeev
Berel
16. (U) The participants on the NSG troika side were:
-- Current NSG Chairman Ambassador Roald Naess (Norway)
-- Past NSG Chairman Ambassador Richard Ekwall (Sweden)
-- NSG Consultative Group Chairman Richard Goorevich (U.S.)
-- U.S. Embassy notetaker
17. (U) This cable has been cleared by U.S. Consultative
Group Chairman Richard Goorevich.
********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
JONES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
STATE FOR ISN/NESS (DELABARRE)
DEPT OF ENERGY FOR DOE/NNSA/NA-242 (GOOREVICH)
UNVIE FOR LISA HILLIARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MNUC PINS PINR PGOV KNNP PARM IR IS UNSC UN GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: NSG TROIKA CONDUCTS OUTREACH WITH ISRAELI
INTER-MINISTERIAL TEAM
REF: TEL AVIV 1722
Classified By: Political Counselor Norm Olsen. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) troika representatives
held discussions April 27 with an inter-ministerial team led
by the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) as part of the
NSG's outreach to Israel. Current NSG Chairman Ambassador
Naess (Norway) updated the Israeli side on changes made to
the NSG's guidelines since the June 2005 NSG plenary in Oslo.
Naess and NSG Consultative Group Chairman Richard Goorevich
(DOE/NNSA) noted that the NSG is currently discussing several
issues, including criteria for the supply of sensor
technology to third countries, the definition of "restraint,"
and how to control stable isotope separation technology.
Naess said the NSG is constantly assessing whether an
extraordinary plenary should be convened in advance of the
June 2006 NSG plenary in Rio de Janeiro, in light of the Iran
nuclear crisis. Naess noted that while future NSG Chairman
Ambassador Jose Medeiros (Brazil) was unable to accompany the
other troika members to Israel, he looks forward to meeting
the Israeli ambassador to the IAEA in Vienna.
2. (C) The Israeli side expressed gratitude for the NSG's
outreach to Israel, and pledged Israel's steadfast commitment
to the NSG's nonproliferation agenda. IAEC Director General
Gideon Frank pressed the NSG troika for a formal answer to
Israel's request to the NSG in 2005 to be accorded NSG
"adherent status." The Israeli side expressed its serious
concerns about the threat a nuclear-armed Iran would pose to
Israel, and asked questions to ascertain what the NSG could
do to stave off that threat. The Israeli side also made
presentations on how Israel views current trends in
nonproliferation, and how Israel is strengthening its export
control system. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NSG "ADHERENT" STATUS FOR ISRAEL
--------------
3. (C) Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) Director
General Gideon Frank stressed the importance Israel places on
its dialogue with the NSG, and the "utmost importance" the
GOI places on implementing export control legislation. Frank
noted Israel's desire to receive a response to its letter to
the NSG requesting formal recognition of Israel's adherence
to the NSG guidelines. Frank noted his expectation that
formalizing Israel's status with the NSG would "yield
tangible benefits," but did not elaborate on what those
benefits would be.
4. (C) Frank said that he believes Israel can positively
influence the development of international nonproliferation
norms, and assured the troika that Israel would continue to
"synchronize its activities with those of the NSG." He
listed as examples of Israel's activity in the area of
nonproliferation: (A) Israel's submission of a report to the
UN on its fulfillment of UNSCR 1540 obligations, and its
support for the Security Council Committee's efforts on UNSCR
1540 implementation; (B) Israel's active work on the
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials,
and its support for the convention's adoption; (C) Israel's
work on the Nuclear Terrorism Committee, and its support for
the committee's work; (D) Israel's membership in the DOE's
Megaports Initiative; (E) Israel's favorable consideration of
the U.S. Container Security Initiative; (F) Israel's intent
to join the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) and to
participate in the U.S. reactor fuel conversion program; and
(G) Israel's support for MANPADS initiatives in the
Conference on Disarmament. Frank added that Israel is active
in the IAEA Experts Group on Enhancing Safeguards, and that
Israel is the deputy chair of the UN Disarmament Committee.
5. (C) NSG Chairman Ambassador Roald Naess (Norway) explained
that the NSG's delay in responding to Israel's formal request
for designation as an "adherent" was due to the NSG's need to
achieve consensus in drawing up a response. He noted that,
since the Oslo plenary, the NSG had taken up discussion on
its relations with non-adhering countries and possible
association. He said that incoming NSG Chairman Ambassador
Medeiros (Brazil) intends to obtain a consensus decision on
"adherent" or "associate" status at the June NSG Plenary in
Rio de Janeiro. Naess conveyed Medeiros's apologies for his
absence, and noted the Brazilian ambassador's hope to meet
Isaeli Ambassador Michaeli in Vienna in the near future.
--------------
UPDATE ON PROGRESS SINCE OSLO PLENARY
--------------
6. (C) Naess updated the Israeli side on changes made to the
NSG guidelines based on decisions from the last NSG plenary
in Oslo: (A) new text was added that concerns the transport
of trigger list items; (B) there is a new section D in
paragraph 9 of document I concerning controls and
re-transfer, that says suppliers should consider restraint;
(C) there is a new paragraph 15 that has been introduced in
accordance with UNSCR 1540; and (D) there is a new paragraph
16 with new language on consultative mechanisms.
7. (C) Goorevich updated the Israelis on the last
Consultative Group meeting, noting that members agreed to
recommend the addition of UF-6-resistant bellows sealed
valves to the trigger list to prevent Iran and others from
purchasing them. He said the Consultative Group is also
developing language for review at the Rio Plenary that would
control technologies associated with stable isotope
separation. Goorevich cautioned that the stable isotope
separation issue could prove problematic because there is
increasingly a legitimate need for such technology in
non-nuclear industry (e.g., in semiconductor manufacturing).
The challenge is to control the technology in a way that does
not unduly affect industry. Goorevich noted that discussion
of this issue follows on the heels of discussions with the
South Koreans on their use of lasers for isotope separation
involving uranium.
--------------
ISRAEL HOPES THE NSG WILL TAKE ACTION ON IRAN
--------------
8. (C) Responding to Frank's question about how the NSG could
address Iran, Naess said that an NSG determination of IAEA
safeguards noncompliance raises the question of suspending
cooperation with the noncompliant country. He noted that
most NSG members have already suspended supply to Iran, even
while the NSG as a body has taken no decision to suspend
supply to Iran. The natural follow-up to suspension would be
for NSG members to terminate some contracts with Iran. Naess
cautioned, however, that this would require a decision
"elsewhere in the system." He added, "If the UN Security
Council decides on sanctions against Iran, then we will have
a new situation."
9. (C) Naess noted that the NSG invoked its noncompliance
mechanism in October 2005, following the IAEA resolution on
Iran in September. Subsequently, NSG member states in the
IAEA issued statements signaling their agreement with Naess's
statement and support for EU-3 and IAEA activities on Iran.
Naess said that the NSG is constantly assessing whether an
extraordinary plenary is needed, and is now considering the
matter in light of IAEA DG ElBaradei's report on Iran to the
UNSC. Based on the report, the NSG will determine if another
extraordinary plenary is necessary, or if the NSG can wait
for the regular plenary scheduled for June. He stressed that
the NSG would only want an extraordinary plenary, however, if
it would yield decisions.
10. (C) Gil Reich from the IAEC asked whether the troika
could confirm rumors he had heard that there would be an
extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) in
the near future. Goorevich replied that an extraordinary BOG
meeting would depend on whether suppliers see an Article 12
violation leading to an extraordinary NSG meeting. If the
IAEA, after consultations, rules that there has been an
Article 12 violation, then this would lead to another round
of consultations that could yield a decision to terminate
supply. Goorevich clarified that while decisions to suspend
or terminate supply apply only to the NSG's trigger list, it
would be hard to see NSG members sending dual-use times to
Iran in the wake of such decisions.
--------------
U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE
--------------
11. (C) Naess said that the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation
initiative caused much discussion in the NSG, and noted that
many NSG members are waiting for answers from India,
especially about its separation plan and how it intends to
implement IAEA-mandated safeguards. Naess said that the U.S.
and India want the NSG to make a decision on the initiative
that will allow for U.S.-Indian coordination. Naess
characterized this call as premature, saying that in the
NSG's view, the "ball is now in India's court," and that many
NSG members prefer to wait for reactions from the U.S.
Congress and India's parliament before ruling on the
initiative.
-------------- --------------
PRESENTATIONS ON NONPROLIFERATION TRENDS, EXPORT CONTROLS
-------------- --------------
12. (C) IAEC Nonproliferation Department Director Gil Reich
then made a presentation on how Israel views trends in the
nonproliferation arena. In his briefing, Reich emphasized
that Israel's formal recognition as an adherent would help
bring non-participating states into the NSG; and that Israel
will never challenge the NPT or the principles on which it
stands. MFA Arms Control Division Director Alon Bar stressed
the need to continue work on nonproliferation. He said he
hopes steps will be taken to ensure that U.S.-India nuclear
cooperation will not increase proliferation risks.
13. (SBU) MFA Export Control Department Director Haim Waxman
updated the NSG troika on the steps Israel is taking to
strengthen and transform its export control system. In his
presentation, he (A) stressed the key role that export
controls play in combating proliferation; (B) noted that
Israel has catch-all provisions in its export control
legislation; and (C) pointed out that Israel will be adhering
to all the major nonproliferation regimes after the Knesset
passes the draft Defense Export Control Act and a control
order on dual-use export controls later this year.
14. (SBU) Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL)
Chemical Administration Deputy Director Zeev Berel updated
the NSG troika on the steps MOITAL is taking to educate
Israeli industry on new, dual-use export control reporting
obligations. Berel noted a recent success story in which an
Israeli company contacted MOITAL about an export license for
tantalum -- a metal that has dual-use applications. Reich
added that the IAEC plays a key role in educating Customs
officers on sensitive nuclear and dual-use technology, and
said that the IAEC still has work to do in this area.
--------------
PARTICIPANTS
--------------
15. (U) The participants on the Israeli side were:
-- IAEC Director General Gideon Frank
-- IAEC Director for Nonproliferation Gil Reich
-- IAEC Director for Arms Control Merav Zafary
-- IAEC Assistant Director for External Relations Ronen Shaul
-- Israeli Ambassador to the IAEA Israel Michaeli
-- MFA Arms Control Division Director Alon Bar
-- Keren Shahar Ben-Ami from the MFA's Office of the Legal
Adviser
-- MFA Export Controls Department Director Haim Waxman
-- MOITAL Deputy Director for Chemical Administration Zeev
Berel
16. (U) The participants on the NSG troika side were:
-- Current NSG Chairman Ambassador Roald Naess (Norway)
-- Past NSG Chairman Ambassador Richard Ekwall (Sweden)
-- NSG Consultative Group Chairman Richard Goorevich (U.S.)
-- U.S. Embassy notetaker
17. (U) This cable has been cleared by U.S. Consultative
Group Chairman Richard Goorevich.
********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
JONES