GERMANY AGREES WITH NEED FOR CLOSE COOPERATION TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000394 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN, IO, NEA, AND EUR/AGS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2017 TAGS: KNNP PREL IR GM SUBJECT: GERMANY AGREES WITH NEED FOR CLOSE COOPERATION TO BRING IRAN INTO COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1737 REF: A. STATE 23001 ¶B. BERLIN 272 Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs Robert F. Cekuta , for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Global Affairs Counselor and Global Affairs officer delivered points in Ref A to German MFA Deputy Director General for Economic Affairs Michael Witter and MFA International Economic and Financial Policy Desk Officer Claudia Schuett February 26. Drawing on reftel points, Emboffs underscored the need for close coordination to dissuade Iran from continuing its defiance of international norms and UNSC resolutions. Witter thanked Emboffs for sharing the USG views on the IAEA's February 24 report on Iran's compliance with UNSCR 1737. Witter stated as well that the German Government considers Iran's compliance a top international issue, and that Germany is "in the same boat" as the U.S. and "rowing with the same oar." He appreciated the USG's emphasis on cooperation with Germany and the other UNSC permanent members (P5 1),indicating that a joint message to Iran will be more effective than individual statements. ¶2. (C) Witter said the German Government is considering ways to apply more pressure on Tehran to persuade it to comply with UNSCR 1737. Possibilities are restrictions on visas for Iranians connected with the nuclear program and to broaden the list of goods that could be considered dual-use items. Witter suggested that the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) could identify additional items that are useful in some way to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile program for sanctions. The challenge, he noted, is building a consensus within the P5 1 and then within the entire UNSC for ratcheting up the pressure on Iran. Witter also said ongoing dialogue with Iran is desirable. ¶3. (C) Schuett asked whether the USG had identified any suitable interlocutors in the Iranian Government who might be more willing to comply with UNSCR 1737. She noted the German Government is working to identify such officials. TIMKEN JR