Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ALGIERS1742
2007-12-04 14:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
ALGERIAN MFA HAS NO INITIAL RESPONSE ON IRAN NIE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0029 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAS #1742 3381445 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041445Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4947 INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AU PRIORITY 0066 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0480
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 001742
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MFA HAS NO INITIAL RESPONSE ON IRAN NIE
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Ambassador Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 001742
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MFA HAS NO INITIAL RESPONSE ON IRAN NIE
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Ambassador Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) As the two top officials of the Algerian MFA are
consumed with the ongoing visit of French President Sarkozy
to Algeria, Director General for Multilateral Affairs
Bladehane received ref demarche on December 4. Ambassador
highlighted that the NIE suggested Iran does respond to
international pressure, and it still needs to meet the
requirements of UNSC resolutions. Bladehane asked if the
U.S. had a more detailed assessment of Iranian intentions
about nuclear weapons development since the apparent decision
in 2003 to suspend such development. Ambassador noted that
our intelligence community (itself a new concept to the
Algerian MFA) assessed that the Iranian government could
easily reverse its decision in a cost-benefits calculation,
and the information about ballistic missile development was
worrisome. Bladehane did not argue the point. He said the
GoA would not have any official reaction until the MFA
Secretary General (number two) could review the paper from
SIPDIS
the Ambassador, and this would not likely occur until after
Sarkozy departs Algeria on December 5.
2. (C) Comment: Last week US Mission Vienna Ambassador
Schulte had detailed discussions with GoA officials about the
Iranian nuclear problem (septel). That visit greatly helped
sensitize the Algerians to our concerns. The Algerians
during that visit reiterated their doubts about applying new
sanctions now, and the release of the NIE likely will not
make changing their minds easier.
FORD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR PARM AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MFA HAS NO INITIAL RESPONSE ON IRAN NIE
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 162558
Classified By: Ambassador Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) As the two top officials of the Algerian MFA are
consumed with the ongoing visit of French President Sarkozy
to Algeria, Director General for Multilateral Affairs
Bladehane received ref demarche on December 4. Ambassador
highlighted that the NIE suggested Iran does respond to
international pressure, and it still needs to meet the
requirements of UNSC resolutions. Bladehane asked if the
U.S. had a more detailed assessment of Iranian intentions
about nuclear weapons development since the apparent decision
in 2003 to suspend such development. Ambassador noted that
our intelligence community (itself a new concept to the
Algerian MFA) assessed that the Iranian government could
easily reverse its decision in a cost-benefits calculation,
and the information about ballistic missile development was
worrisome. Bladehane did not argue the point. He said the
GoA would not have any official reaction until the MFA
Secretary General (number two) could review the paper from
SIPDIS
the Ambassador, and this would not likely occur until after
Sarkozy departs Algeria on December 5.
2. (C) Comment: Last week US Mission Vienna Ambassador
Schulte had detailed discussions with GoA officials about the
Iranian nuclear problem (septel). That visit greatly helped
sensitize the Algerians to our concerns. The Algerians
during that visit reiterated their doubts about applying new
sanctions now, and the release of the NIE likely will not
make changing their minds easier.
FORD