Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ADDISABABA3453
2007-12-05 06:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA SURPRISED BY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO3832 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #3453 3390624 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 050624Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8744 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0061 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 003453
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM IAEA ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA SURPRISED BY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
ESTIMATE ON IRAN
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4
(B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 003453
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM IAEA ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA SURPRISED BY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
ESTIMATE ON IRAN
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4
(B) and (D)
1. (C) Ambassador and Pol/Econ Chief provided Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi a copy of the reftel National
Intelligence Estimate (NIE) key judgments and non-paper on
Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities on December 4.
Pol/Econ Chief detailed the major points from the NIE and the
potential ramifications if Iran does, or does not, suspend
its proliferation sensitive activities. Prime Minister Meles
remarked that he was "surprised" by both the openness of the
NIE and its key judgments, noting that "even if Iran was not
caught red handed, it was clearly hiding something." Still,
Meles noted that he was surprised that Iran had, in fact,
maintained a nuclear weapons program.
2. (C) Meles asked whether support for civilian-use Iranian
uranium enrichment activities outside of Iran remained an
option. Pol/Econ Chief emphasized that the key is, first,
for Iran to suspend its proliferation sensitive activities
and meet its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Doing so,
the Pol/Econ Chief continued, would enable negotiations under
the P5 1 offer. The Prime Minister inquired if the NIE was
"good news." Pol/Econ Chief stressed that Iran's Fall 2003
suspension of its nuclear weapons program was good news, but
knowing that international pressure had succeeded in leading
Iran to take that step was also very useful. Pol/Econ Chief
stressed Ethiopia's key role as an IAEA Board of Governors
member and emphasized that the NIE's judgment suggests that
continued international scrutiny and pressure would be both
critical and effective in helping persuade Tehran to make a
final determination to maintain indefinitely its current
nuclear weapons program suspension.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM IAEA ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA SURPRISED BY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
ESTIMATE ON IRAN
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4
(B) and (D)
1. (C) Ambassador and Pol/Econ Chief provided Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi a copy of the reftel National
Intelligence Estimate (NIE) key judgments and non-paper on
Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities on December 4.
Pol/Econ Chief detailed the major points from the NIE and the
potential ramifications if Iran does, or does not, suspend
its proliferation sensitive activities. Prime Minister Meles
remarked that he was "surprised" by both the openness of the
NIE and its key judgments, noting that "even if Iran was not
caught red handed, it was clearly hiding something." Still,
Meles noted that he was surprised that Iran had, in fact,
maintained a nuclear weapons program.
2. (C) Meles asked whether support for civilian-use Iranian
uranium enrichment activities outside of Iran remained an
option. Pol/Econ Chief emphasized that the key is, first,
for Iran to suspend its proliferation sensitive activities
and meet its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Doing so,
the Pol/Econ Chief continued, would enable negotiations under
the P5 1 offer. The Prime Minister inquired if the NIE was
"good news." Pol/Econ Chief stressed that Iran's Fall 2003
suspension of its nuclear weapons program was good news, but
knowing that international pressure had succeeded in leading
Iran to take that step was also very useful. Pol/Econ Chief
stressed Ethiopia's key role as an IAEA Board of Governors
member and emphasized that the NIE's judgment suggests that
continued international scrutiny and pressure would be both
critical and effective in helping persuade Tehran to make a
final determination to maintain indefinitely its current
nuclear weapons program suspension.
YAMAMOTO