BUNDESTAG LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S., P5+1 ON IRAN

UNCLAS BERLIN 000434

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AGS, NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR GM
SUBJECT: BUNDESTAG LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S., P5+1 ON IRAN
POLICY



1. (U) SUMMARY: In a March 1 parliamentary debate on Iran
policy, the four main German parties presented a relatively
unified message in support of P5 1/UN efforts on Iran and
making Iran responsible for the next steps. Speakers
emphasized the clandestine nature of Iran's nuclear program,
its violations of the NPT, and its drive for hegemony in the
region. Several speakers praised the U.S. policy shift on an
Iranian civilian nuclear program and the decision to attend
the upcoming Iraq conference. While not entirely free of
criticism towards the U.S., the debate is a welcome sign that
the Bundestag's foreign policy heavy hitters are on the same
page as their government (and us). END SUMMARY.



2. (U) In a March 1 parliamentary debate on Iran policy,
four of the five German political parties expressed support
for P5 1 efforts thus far. A bill introduced by the Left
Party (which holds only 54 of the 614 total Bundestag seats)
called for the government to forbid U.S. use of German air
space or territory for staging a military attack against
Iran, while also criticizing the implementation of any
further sanctions by the UN against Iran. The other bill,
introduced by the Greens, called for the government to
continue EU-3 framework negotiations parallel to UNSCR 1737,
to make clear to the US that military escalation would be
harmful for international unity on the issue, to urge the US
to offer Iran security guarantees and lift sanctions (as in
the case of North Korea),and to increase dialogue with
Iranian civil society and support of human rights. At the
close of debate, both bills were forwarded to the Foreign
Relations Committee.


3. (U) What could have turned into an anti-U.S. discussion,
however, instead aimed the majority of criticism at Iran, as
speakers emphasized the clandestine nature of Iran's nuclear
program and its violations of the NPT and its drive for
hegemony in the region. Foreign Relations Committee chair
Ruprecht Polenz (CDU) emphasized that it is Iran that must
make a decision whether to take the offer of cooperation or
to continue down the path of self-isolation.
Nonproliferation subcommittee member Rolf Muetzenich
(SPD--also serves as German-Iran Parliamentary Friendship
group chair) praised Secretary Rice for having done much
recently to bring the process forward via diplomacy. Polenz,
Muetzenich, and Green Party Foreign Policy Spokeswoman
Kerstin Mueller criticized the Left Party for building paper
tigers, unsettling the public with a "false debate" and for
drawing false parallels to the international community's
discussion on Iraq in 2002-03.


4. (U) Polenz, Muetzenich, and FDP MP Werner Hoyer praised
the U.S. policy shift on an Iranian civilian nuclear program
(and European diplomacy's role in that shift),as well as the
decision to attend the upcoming Iraq conference. Polenz also
expressed hope that the U.S. would seek out discussion at the
conference with Iran and Syria. Polenz cited a statement by
General Pace that he categorically excludes an attack on
Iran. All four politicians called for the continued
application of the "double approach," offering negotiations
while also instituting sanctions.


5. (U) Critique points towards the U.S. included Muetzenich
reminding the U.S. that while Iranians may be against their
regime, they also want respect for their nation and their
successes. He added that Germany should remind the U.S. that
the Iranian society is one with which diplomacy is possible.
Mueller criticized "contradictory" signals from the U.S.,
calling them counterproductive and undermining the
credibility of the entire negotiation process.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: In an environment where the media has
been drumming up fears of imminent U.S. or Israeli military
action towards Iran, the Left Party apparently formulated
their bill to spark Bundestag debate on our refusal to rule
out a military option on Iran. Instead, the other parties
brought out their influential foreign policy voices to
present a relatively unified message emphasizing support for
P5 1/UN efforts on Iran and placing the responsibility for
the next steps squarely on Iran's shoulders. While not
entirely free of criticism towards the U.S., the debate is a
welcome sign that the Bundestag's foreign policy heavy
hitters are on the same page as their government (and us).
As the debate was held after editorial deadlines last night,
it may not receive the press coverage that could have been
helpful with the German public.
KOENIG