GERMANY SEEKS CONSULTATIONS ON U.S.-INDIA CIVIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001497 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR P, EUR, SCA, AND ISN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL ENRG KNNP KTIA IN GM SUBJECT: GERMANY SEEKS CONSULTATIONS ON U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION REF: A. STATE 104171 ¶B. 06 BERLIN 3058 Classified By: A/DCM John K. Bauman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Global Affairs officer passed ref A nonpaper to MFA officials July 27. In a follow-on discussion July 31, MFA Deputy Office Director for Nuclear Energy and Nonproliferation Dietrich Becker and NSG Desk Officer Joerg Polster stated Germany has yet to take a position on the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, contrary to some Indian media reports that claim Germany is "ready to bat" for India in the NSG. Before taking a decision to support the 123 Agreement, Becker said, Germany willneed to see convincing evidence that civil nucler cooperation with India will strengthen the nonroliferation regime. Germany also expects India to take concrete steps to demonstrate its commitmnt to nonproliferation (see ref B and previous).Becker asked whether the Agreement is in complianc with the requirements of the Hyde Act. Global Affairs officer pointed to U/S Burns' comments on the subject in his July 27 press briefing. ¶2. (C) Becker and Polster indicated German interest in having the opportunity to review the text of the 123 Agreement prior to NSG consultations. They asked how the Agreement will handle the issue of nuclear testing, noting that NSG Participating Governments (PGs) will likely insist on automatic suspension of cooperation in the event India conducts a nuclear test. Polster also expressed concern about the sequencing, noting that some PGs would hesitate to grant an exemption for India without seeing the final U.S. legislation. ¶3. (C) Becker said it will be difficult to win support for civil nuclear cooperation from the parties in the governing Grand Coalition, given widespread public opposition to nuclear energy. He noted that recent incidents at two German nuclear reactors had emboldened already outspoken opponents of nuclear energy, including Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. As a result, Becker said, highlighting the net gains to the international nonproliferation regime will be essential to winning German support. ¶4. (C) Becker said a senior advisor to Indian Prime Minister Singh had offered to come to Berlin to brief German Government officials in September. Becker asked whether U/S Burns also plans to visit Germany to brief on the Agreement. He suggested such a visit would be helpful, particularly with a focus on briefing parliamentarians and politicians who have publicly expressed opposition to the Agreement. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: German policymakers in the Chancellery and MFA continue to insist they will not block U.S. efforts in the NSG, but also stress the need to demonstrate to the Bundestag -- and the German public -- how the nonproliferation regime will benefit. High-level engagement of German officials and parliamentarians will be essential to win German support for civil nuclear cooperation with India. Germany wields considerable influence within the NSG. Achieving German buy-in in advance of consultations within the NSG would help to ease the concerns of PGs that oppose the Agreement and has the potential to generate substantial forward momentum, as well. TIMKEN JR