Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN1596
2007-08-23 14:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GNEP - INITIAL GERMAN REACTION TO INVITATION TO

Tags:  ENRG TRGY KNNP PGOV PREL GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #1596 2351444
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231444Z AUG 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9081
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0891
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 8437
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1836
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 8977
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1500
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0288
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001596 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN, EEB, AND EUR
DOE/NP - M CLAPPER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: ENRG TRGY KNNP PGOV PREL GM
SUBJECT: GNEP - INITIAL GERMAN REACTION TO INVITATION TO
SEPTEMBER MINISTERIAL

REF: A. STATE 118280


B. STATE 114102

C. BERLIN 1503 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: EMIN Robert A. Pollard for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001596

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN, EEB, AND EUR
DOE/NP - M CLAPPER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: ENRG TRGY KNNP PGOV PREL GM
SUBJECT: GNEP - INITIAL GERMAN REACTION TO INVITATION TO
SEPTEMBER MINISTERIAL

REF: A. STATE 118280


B. STATE 114102

C. BERLIN 1503 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: EMIN Robert A. Pollard for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (U) Econoffs delivered ref A letters of invitation and ref
B talking points August 20 to German Environment Ministry
Deputy Director General for International Cooperation Karsten
Sach and German Economics Ministry Director General for
Energy Andreas Schuseil. Econoff also briefed MFA Deputy
Office Director for Nuclear Energy and Nonproliferation
Dietrich Becker and provided courtesy copies of the
invitation letters on August 21.


2. (C) Becker said the German Government's commitment to
phase out nuclear power facilities, as well as widespread
public opposition to nuclear energy, would make it
politically unfeasible for Germany to become a full
participant in the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
or to send a high-level representative to the Vienna
ministerial. Nonetheless, Becker said, Germany remains
interested in close cooperation on nonproliferation and
nuclear safety/security issues. He said Germany is
interested in learning more about what GNEP observer status
would entail and asked about the meaning of the term "interim
period" in ref B talking points. Becker said he does not
expect Germany's position on nuclear energy to change before
2009 elections, but said the MFA, which has the lead within
the German Government on nonproliferation, would welcome the
opportunity to participate "informally" in GNEP's work on
nonproliferation issues. Becker speculated Germany would
send a "back-bencher" from the MFA to the Vienna ministerial.
Economics Ministry Deputy Director General for Energy
Hartmut Schneider echoed Becker's concerns.


3. (C) Given GNEP's focus on promoting the expansion of
nuclear energy, Becker said, focusing other initiatives, such
as the July 3 U.S.-Russian Initiative on Nuclear Energy and
Nonproliferation, on nonproliferation and nuclear
security/safety issues would make it easier for Germany to
participate in them. He asked how GNEP and the U.S.-Russian
Initiative would fit with other multilateral nuclear
approaches (MNAs) and reiterated Germany's concern that
multilateral initiatives not "antagonize" the Non-Aligned
Movement. German officials worry about potential negative
repercussions of discussing further restrictions on transfers
of nuclear technology under Article 4 of the NPT. The German
Government, Becker stated, prefers a "persuasive approach"
that creates incentives for countries to voluntarily forego
certain nuclear fuel cycle activities, rather than legally
binding restrictions or a blanket moratorium on ENR
transfers.


4. (C) Becker stressed that Germany shares U.S. concerns
about ENR transfers and has no desire to export such
technologies. He pointed to Foreign Minister Steinmeier's
proposal to establish an extraterritorial commercial
enrichment center under the supervision of the IAEA as a
long-term solution that would complement short-term MNA
proposals put forth by other countries.


5. (U) Post will report any subsequent German response
regarding participation in the GNEP ministerial septel.

KOENIG