PRC/IRAN: MFA READOUT OF FM YANG'S TEHRAN VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 007128 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2027 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC ETRD CH IR SUBJECT: PRC/IRAN: MFA READOUT OF FM YANG'S TEHRAN VISIT Classified By: Deputy Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: According to an MFA readout, in meetings with President Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki, and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Tehran, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that after five years of addressing the nuclear issue, "there is currently no resolution." FM Yang told the Iranians that the situation has reached a "critical stage" and there is "no cause for optimism." Cooperation with the IAEA will have a "positive impact," FM Yang told his interlocutors, but "relying on solving the outstanding issues" is not enough and will not help resolve "all the concerns" of the international community. FM Yang told the Iranians they must "show flexibility on uranium enrichment" and asked them to seriously consider the "double suspension" proposal put forth by the EU this spring. FM Yang also proposed establishing a 6-plus-1 mechanism to include the five permanent UNSC members, Germany and Iran. DG Song reported that the Iran side rejected the "double suspension" proposal and affirmed to FM Yang that two of the "outstanding issues" identified by the IAEA had been "solved." FM Yang recognized Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but told the Iran side that China shares the view of the international community that Iran's program must uphold the non-proliferation regime, DG Song said. END SUMMARY. Critical Stage, No Cause for Optimism -------------- ¶2. (C) FM Yang met with President Ahmadinejad, FM Mottaki and chief nuclear negotiator Jalili during his November 13 visit to Iran, DG Song Aiguo of the MFA's West Asian and North African Department told Deputy PolMinCouns on November 15. DG Song, accompanying FM Yang, had returned from Tehran at midnight the previous night and had not yet slept, but "wanted to brief the United States side as soon as possible," he said. FM Yang emphasized to the Iran side that although the Iran nuclear problem ("wenti," also translated as "issue") has now lasted five years, there is still no prospect for a resolution. With some recent western media speculation that the United States is considering using force in Iran, the current situation has reached a "critical stage" and offers "no cause for optimism," FM Yang told his Iranian interlocutors. ¶3. (C) Iran's cooperation with the IAEA will have a positive impact, but solving only the "outstanding issues" will not help resolve "all the concerns" of the international community, FM Yang told the Iranians. FM Yang stressed that the issue has reached a "critical stage," and that upcoming reports from IAEA DG ElBaradei and EU High Representative Javier Solana will have a "direct impact" on the Iran nuclear issue's "next stage." FM Yang expressed hope that Iran can show flexibility and "turn around the situation" by engaging with the IAEA and EU to make substantial progress through negotiation, said DG Song. FM Yang Suggestions: "Double Suspension," 6-plus-1 -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) FM Yang asked the Iranian side to "seriously consider" proposals from all parties, such as "double suspension," (DG Song used the phrase "double freeze") referring to the EU proposal to suspend additional action in the UNSC against Iran in exchange for Iran's suspension of the installation of new centrifuges. FM Yang also proposed establishing a 6-plus-1 mechanism to include the five permanent UNSC members, Germany and Iran, said DG Song. FM Yang emphasized the importance of the United States and Iran establishing direct negotiations, which China supports "based on the success of North Korea nuclear negotiations." FM Yang: Iran Has Right to Peaceful Nuclear Energy Use -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Yang recognized Iran's statement of its intent to use (and its right to use) nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, DG Song reported. However, DG Song reported, FM Yang told the Iran side that China shares the view of the international community that Iran must also make efforts to uphold the non-proliferation regime. Iran Appears to Reject FM Yang's "Double Suspension" Proposal -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00007128 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) The Iranians did not accept all of FM Yang's proposals. In particular, DG Song said, they responded to FM Yang's "double suspension" proposal by noting that Iran had in the past suspended HEU enrichment for "more than two years with no contribution to a solution." Therefore, the Iranians told FM Yang, it is "difficult for Iran to consider" a freeze on enrichment now. On FM Yang's proposals for direct talks, the Iranians responded that "it is no problem for Iran to talk to the international community." However, the Iranians warned, "if the UN Security Council still wants a resolution on sanctions, it will have a negative impact on Iran's cooperation with the IAEA and the EU." Iran: Transparent Program, NPT-Guaranteed Rights -------------- --- ¶7. (C) Iran "only wants its NPT-guaranteed rights to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," DG Song reported the Iranians telling FM Yang. The Iranians stressed their cooperation with the IAEA, DG Song said. "Iran reaffirmed the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities," DG Song said, "and hopes to re-establish mutual trust and confidence with the international community." The Iranians stated that according to IAEA Chief ElBaradei, there is "no evidence" to show that Iranian nuclear activities have violated relevant agreements, and Iran has "no problems" with transparency. The Iranians pointed to the fact that they reached a framework agreement with the IAEA in 40 days, before the 60-day deadline. In addition, they stressed, Iran has already answered two of the issues in the original IAEA work plan (HEU contamination and plutonium) and "will answer the remaining six." The Iran side expressed its desire to cooperate with the IAEA and hold a dialogue with the EU. Jalili will hold a meeting with Solana "soon," DG Song said. As a result of this "constructive cooperation" with the IAEA, the Iranians believe there should be no further sanctions at the UNSC, DG Song said. In addition, Tehran believes the upcoming IAEA report will be "positive." China Wants to "Make More Efforts" -------------- ¶8. (C) DG Song said FM Yang stressed to his Iranian interlocutors that Iran should "show more flexibility in addressing the international community's concerns." China, he added, wants to "make more efforts" to contribute to a solution to the Iran nuclear issue. PICCUTA