IAEC "OUTRAGED AND DISAPPOINTED" WITH U.S. PLAN TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 001930

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MNSA
GENEVA FOR CD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016
TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP MNUC IS CDG ISRAEL RELATIONS
SUBJECT: IAEC "OUTRAGED AND DISAPPOINTED" WITH U.S. PLAN TO
TABLE FMCT AT CD; NEW MOD REACTS CAUTIOUSLY

REF: STATE 79256

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) Reftel demarche was presented to Israeli Atomic Energy
Commission (IAEC) Deputy Director General Ariel Levite and
MFA Strategic Affairs Division Director Ambassador Miriam
Zeev the morning of May 17. In response, IAEC Arms Control
Director Merav Zafary and MFA Arms Control Department
Director Alon Bar told poloff:

-- Israel finds the U.S. position "outrageous" and "very
disappointing." Israel believes it made its sensitivities
about the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) known to the
U.S. on many occasions, and had an understanding that the
U.S. would consult well in advance of tabling a draft treaty
and mandate. Israel has not seen the draft treaty or mandate
that it understands will be tabled before the Western Group
today, and the CD on May 18.

-- Israel does not believe it is timely to table the FMCT and
mandate now, as the international community tries to dissuade
Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program.

-- Israel is convinced that there is no consensus within the
CD on beginning negotiations of an FMCT. Israel has
expressed its views on numerous occasions that to proceed
with negotiations would be unwise and ineffective. Israel
has noted many times what it sees as problems with the flow
and substance of the draft treaty.

-- Israel is not in the position to support the U.S.
initiative or any endorsement by the Western Group.

-- This is a preliminary view, and Israel will provide a more
comprehensive response to the demarche after it has had a
chance to more thoroughly review the points.


2. (C) In a separate meeting with poloff, Bar claimed that
Israel feels insulted, in part, because it "knows" that the
U.K. and France were shown draft texts of the treaty and
mandate on Saturday, May 15.


3. (C) The Ambassador also presented the non-paper and
Israel-specific talking points to new Defense Minister Peretz
on the afternoon of May 17. Peretz, who was unfamiliar with
the issue, promised to study the points and respond later.

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