PRC URGES IRANIAN NUCLEAR ENVOY TO RESPOND TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006076 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2027 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC CH IR SUBJECT: PRC URGES IRANIAN NUCLEAR ENVOY TO RESPOND TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS BEIJING 00006076 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. MFA Director General for West Asian and North African Affairs Song Aiguo informed us September 17 that Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Pur-Mohammadi told PRC officials September 13-14 that the Iran nuclear issue is "on the right track" and urged China to oppose new sanctions. According to DG Song, Pur-Mohammadi called for the issue to be dealt with in the IAEA framework as a "technical issue," said the UN Security Council should "stop sanctions or else Iran would cease cooperation with the IAEA," and said that, since Iran is already "a nuclear country," demands that Iran end its uranium enrichment program should be withdrawn. Song said that in response China expressed hope that all sides would continue along the path of dialogue and negotiation, advised Iran to take practical measures to allay the concerns of the international community, including a suspension of uranium enrichment, and show "flexibility." In light of Pur-Mohammadi's visit, Song said the Chinese are not optimistic about the current situation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) MFA Director General for West Asian and North African Affairs Song Aiguo briefed PolMinCouns September 17 on the September 13-14 visit to Beijing of Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Pur-Mohammadi. According to DG Song, Pur-Mohammadi traveled to Beijing as Special Envoy of the Government of Iran to brief the Chinese on Iran's cooperation with the IAEA and negotiations on "outstanding questions" on Iran's nuclear program. During the visit, Pur-Mohammadi met with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Song noted that Pur-Mohammadi's visit was the second to China by an Iranian Special Envoy in 2007; nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani came to Beijing in early 2007 on a similar mission. ¶3. (C) Reading from prepared points, Song said that Pur-Mohammadi told the Chinese that the nuclear issue is "on the right track" and that Iran-IAEA cooperation has produced "positive results." Iran and the IAEA, Pur-Mohammadi claimed, have reached an understanding on outstanding issues, as evidenced by the Work Plan, which includes resolution of issues of international concern, removes IAEA suspicions and allows future cooperation, including IAEA supervision and inspection of Iran's nuclear activities. Pur-Mohammadi asserted that through negotiation, Iran has resolved issues regarding plutonium extraction, heavy water and enriched uranium. The head of the IAEA and the international community, the Iranian added, "positively appraised" this work. Pur-Mohammadi also stressed that, contrary to the comments of "some countries," Iran does not wish to drag on negotiations with the IAEA and claimed to have developed the Work Plan 20 days faster than the allotted 60 days. ¶4. (C) In his meetings, Song said, Pur-Mohammadi made three proposals. First, he requested that the Iranian nuclear issue be handled within the IAEA framework "as a technical issue." This would be the best way to solve the issue and to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities. Pur-Mohammadi claimed that Iran will strictly implement the IAEA Work Plan and make all nuclear activities transparent in two-three months. He expressed hope for the international community's support. Pur-Mohammadi added that current nuclear activities come under full IAEA monitoring, and future issues would be clarified and resolved under this framework. The Iranian stressed that all of Iran's nuclear programs and plans comply with international law. ¶5. (C) Second, Pur-Mohammadi called for an end to UN Security Council sanctions, instead emphasizing cooperation and negotiation to resolve differences. Iranian cooperation with the IAEA, he claimed, has already "yielded results," and there is no need to push for further sanctions. Iran, he added, does not want to see the nuclear issue fall into a "vicious cycle," in which further sanctions "force Iran to respond harshly." Pur-Mohammadi stressed that if the UNSC pushes additional sanctions, Iran will halt its cooperation with the IAEA and take "necessary measures in response." Such a course, Pur-Mohammadi claimed, would cause the regional situation to "get out of control" and would mean a "dead-end" for nuclear talks. ¶6. (C) Third, according to Song, Pur-Mohammadi insisted that all parties should face the fact that Iran is already "a nuclear country" in possession of "nuclear technologies." Iranian technicians have made a "long-term effort" and have successfully developed technologies such as uranium BEIJING 00006076 002.2 OF 002 enrichment. This represented a fait-accompli that could not be changed. Thus, Pur-Mohammadi said, the international community should no longer demand the end of Iranian uranium enrichment. The Iranian nuclear issue is connected to Iran's "national dignity," the Iranian stressed, and the international community could not take away Iran's rights. ¶7. (C) Song reported that the Chinese officials responded to Pur-Mohammadi's statements by reiterating its principled position that the international nuclear non-proliferation regime must be safeguarded, China is opposed to nuclear weapons proliferation and a peaceful approach through diplomacy is "the best choice," as it is most conducive to the peace and stability of the world and the region. ¶8. (C) Song said Chinese officials emphasized three points with Pur-Mohammadi. First, Iran should "safeguard the negotiation process," earnestly implement the Work Plan and expedite the resolution of "outstanding issues." Second, Iran should take practical measures to respond to the concerns of the international community regarding the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear plans, in particular its uranium enrichment activities. Third, Iran should maintain contact and cooperate with all relevant parties to create conditions for constructive talks. Citing the PRC's experience dealing with the DPRK nuclear situation, Song suggested that direct negotiations between Iran and United States are crucial for a resolution of the crisis. ¶9. (C) Song reported that Pur-Mohammadi thanked China for its positive and constructive role in pushing for a peaceful settlement of the issue and asserted that under the current IAEA framework, a settlement acceptable to all parties is possible. Pur-Mohammadi told his PRC interlocutors that Iran will consider seriously the Chinese points. ¶10. (C) PolMinCouns thanked DG Song for the readout of Pur-Mohammadi's visit. Noting that the Iranian Special Envoy's reported remarks made all the more clear the need for prompt UNSC action, PolMinCouns urged China to come to the September 21 P5-plus-1 Political Directors meeting in Washington prepared to engage on the substance of a third UNSC resolution on Iran. Song responded (unscripted) that the Chinese told Pur-Mohammadi that the PRC will "play a constructive role" at the September 21 meeting. China advised Iran to cooperate closely with the international community, show "flexibility" and respond to international concerns. He added that Chinese officials emphasized to Pur-Mohammadi the seriousness with which they view the situation and that they are "not optimistic" about the current situation. They urged Iran to hold direct talks with the United States, Song concluded. Randt