Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN1497
2007-08-01 15:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMANY SEEKS CONSULTATIONS ON U.S.-INDIA CIVIL

Tags:  PGOV PREL ENRG KNNP KTIA IN GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0018
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #1497 2131513
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 011513Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8946
INFO RUCNNSG/NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP IMMEDIATE
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0502
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0283
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
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).

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