Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERN1119
2007-12-05 10:58:00
SECRET
Embassy Bern
Cable title:  

SWISS REACTION TO NIE ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Tags:  PARM MNUC KNNP IR SZ 
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VZCZCXRO4070
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHSW #1119 3391058
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 051058Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4727
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0041
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0169
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2791
S E C R E T BERN 001119 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, NEA/IR, T, AND ISN/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2022
TAGS: PARM MNUC KNNP IR SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REACTION TO NIE ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

REF: STATE 162558

Classified By: Ambassador Peter R. Coneway; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

S E C R E T BERN 001119

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, NEA/IR, T, AND ISN/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2022
TAGS: PARM MNUC KNNP IR SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REACTION TO NIE ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

REF: STATE 162558

Classified By: Ambassador Peter R. Coneway; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Ambassador delivered the message in reftel on December
4 to MFA Middle East Affairs Division Chief Livia Leu (Note:
Ambassador Leu represented State Secretary Ambuehl, who was
unexpectedly called to a meeting with FM Calmy-Rey. End
Note). Leu expressed the Swiss government's appreciation for
the briefing on the NIE and USG views on the way forward in
dealing with Iran's nuclear program. She provided an initial
Swiss reaction and passed a copy of her talking points (text
in para 2) to the Ambassador for our reference.


2. (S) BEGIN SWISS MFA TALKING POINTS:

- Very interesting document. It will possibly contribute to
the de-escalation of the situation and influence the future
deliberations.

- It goes in the same direction as our assessment: Although
we do not know what the exact ultimate objective of Iran's
nuclear program is, we assess -- with moderate confidence --
that Iran wants to become a "nuclear threshold country"
whereas we do not know where the threshold will be put.

- This new analysis will be welcomed by Iran. The Iranians
will most likely underline that there is now even less
legitimacy for sanctions and for Security Council
involvement, as the non-military nature of its program is
"proven". The paper undermines arguments for military
strikes against Iran.

-- The main question remains: How to deal with the Iranian
program?

- Switzerland remains convinced that negotiations should
begin as soon as possible. From our point of view, we would
propose to either:

-- a) Organize direct confidential U.S.-Iranian talks.
Switzerland is ready to facilitate them, if so desired;

or

-- b) Agree on symmetric confidence building measures in
order to start the negotiation on an overall package without
preconditions.

END SWISS MFA TALKING POINTS.


3. (S) In response, the Ambassador reiterated the message in
reftel, emphasizing that the USG believes the NIE confirms
the approach we have taken thus far, maintaining pressure on
Iran while keeping the P5 1 offer on the table -- with the
imperative that Iran meet its obligation to suspend its
enrichment-related activities as a precondition for
negotiations with the P5 1. (Comment: The Swiss proposals
to facilitate "direct confidential U.S.-Iranian talks" or to
promote "negotiation on an overall package without
preconditions" are recurring, troublesome themes in Swiss MFA
thinking. We will continue to emphasize to the Swiss that
there already is a well-developed, broadly supported
"proposal" for a diplomatic solution, as embodied by the P5 1
offer -- which we would expect the GOS also should strongly
support. End Comment)
CONEWAY