DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001311 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MNSA: S.DAVIS GENEVA FOR CD DELEGATION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP ENRG MNUC PARM PREL ET SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM REF: SECSTATE 54147 ¶1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel points on April 27 to MFA Director of Europe and the Americas Tebege Berhe, U.S. desk officer Third Secretary Adam Tesfaye, and Second Secretary for International Organizations and Economic Cooperation Yoseph Kassaye. ¶2. (SBU) Kassaye inquired about the status of discussions stemming from the previous review process, stating that it was not clear that questions from non-nuclear member states were answered. Citing concerns about the sixth review conference, he asked whether the member states comprising the NAM had changed, and asked about the status of Article VI. If the agenda for this prepcom is similar to that of the previous sixth review conference, then Kassaye thinks it likely that a deadlock will occur. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: We expect Ethiopia to support the NPT as a key element in the global nonproliferation regime. In May 2006, Ethiopia and other members of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) hosted an open session of the PSC to promote ratification of the Treaty of Pelindaba (on establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa). On the other hand, Ethiopia harbors concerns that this prepcom may prove unproductive, with inadequate consideration given to disagreements that emerged among member states during previous review conferences. END COMMENT. YAMAMOTO