MEETINGS WITH GOI OFFICIALS REGARDING THE TUWAITHA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001960 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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 SIPDIS 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 BAGHDAD 00001960 002 OF 002 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