MEETINGS WITH GOI OFFICIALS REGARDING THE TUWAITHA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001960

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2017
TAGS: KNNP MOPS PARM PGOV PINS PTER TRGY IZ
SUBJECT: MEETINGS WITH GOI OFFICIALS REGARDING THE TUWAITHA
SITE

Classified By: EDWARD KLOTH, ECONOMIC MIMISTER-COUNSELOR, ACTING, FOR R
EASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d)

REF: A) BAGHDAD 01787 B) BAGHDAD


1. (S/REL MNF-I) SUMMARY: During the period between May 30,
and June 5, Emboffs met with a number of representatives from
the Government of Iraq (GOI) regarding removal of the natural
uranium (yellow cake) and four high-level radioactive sources
stored at the Tuwaitha site. In each meeting, Emboffs
emphasized the need to remove these materials from the
Tuwaitha site as expeditiously as possible and offered the
assistance of the United States (USG) in the removal effort.
Emboffs also noted that the USG would expect reimbursement
for its costs associated with this effort. END SUMMARY


2. (S/REL MNF-I) During a May, 30, 2007, meeting with the
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Raid Fahmi Jahid,
Econoff and the Energy Attache discussed issues associated
with the storage of certain radioactive sources and yellow
cake at the Tuwaitha site. Emboffs noted the need to move
these materials from the site as expeditiously as possible,
and offered the assistance of the USG in order to accomplish
the task. Emboffs also requested that the Minister provide a
letter granting permission for Coalition Forces to enter the
Tuwaitha site and install additional security features
including, concrete barriers, concertina wire, and
communications equipment. In addition, Emboffs requested
that the Minister provide a list of the radioactive sources,
other than the four high-level sources, stored at Tuwaitha
that the GOI would like to retain.


3. (S/REL MNF-I) The Minister stated that he would provide a
letter of permission and the list of sources to be retained
the next week. He agreed that the yellow cake and four
high-level sources needed to be removed from Tuwaitha as soon
as possible, but noted that the Prime Minister,s Office has
established a committee to address aspects of the removal
effort. The Minister provided Emboffs with a document that
suggested that the market price for the materials may exceed
$170 million. The Minister requested that those constructing
the addition security features coordinate this effort with
Tuwaitha site security officials.


4. (S/REL MNF-I) On May 31, 2007, Econoffs and the Energy
Attache met with Dr. Sroob Najib. He reiterated the need to
remove the materials from the Tuwaitha site as quickly as
possible (Ref A). He stated that the GOI has sent a letter
to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) notifying
that organization of the GOI,s intention to sell the yellow
cake, but had not yet received a response. He stated that a
meeting with the Prime Minister,s committee would be meeting
on June 4.


5. (S/REL MNF-I) On June 4, 2007, the Energy Attache met
with the Prime Minister,s committee regarding the four
high-level radioactive sources and yellow cake. The committee
expressed the desire to ensure the security of the materials
and requested USG assistance in selling the yellow cake. The
committee also had questions regarding compliance with
applicable IAEA and United Nations Security Council
(UNSC)procedures as part of the effort to sell the yellow
cake, and request USG assistance to determine all such
procedures. In particular, the committee expressed concerns
regarding the meaning of certain provisions in UNSC
Resolution 707 and discussed the potential need to send an
Iraqi delegation to the United Nations and IAEA to discuss
the issues. Emboff suggested that appropriate contacts
should be made before determining the need for foreign
travel. The committee also revealed that it had contacted
Edlow and Associates, a US company known to facilitate the
sale of nuclear materials, and suggested the possibility of
additional contacts with this company.


6. (S/REL MNF-I) Emboff noted that because of security
concerns, any contacts should be made on a
government-to-government basis in order to maintain
confidentiality. One member of the committee mentioned that

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the South Korean government had expressed some interest in
the yellow cake. A member of the committee also noted the
complexity and normally public nature of the GOI process to
sell government-owned materials. Emboff suggested again,
that for security reasons, efforts should be made to obtain a

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waiver of those requirements. Lastly, the committee
requested that Emboff obtain the characterization data
collected by scientists from the Oak Ridge National
Laboratory during a visit to the Tuwaitha site. These data
form the basis for IAEA oversight of the yellow cake.


7. (S/REL MNF-I) On June 5, 2007, Ambassador Carney, the DCM
Chief of Staff and Energy Attache met with the Prime
Minister,s Chief of Staff, Tarik Abdullah. The topic of
yellow cake and high-level radioactive source disposition
comprised one of the three topics of discussion (Ref B).

CROCKER