C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000285

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ISN/WMDT FOR DAVID WEEKMAN
T FOR TIM KATSAPIS
WHA/BSC FOR BARNES, FRIEDMAN, AND BLAKENEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2017
TAGS: PTER KGIT KNNP PREL AR BR OM KS SN SF IAEA
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA TO REVIEW GLOBAL NUCLEAR TERRORISM
INITIATIVE

REF: SECSTATE 16451

Classified By: DCM MICHAEL MATERA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

1.(U) This is an action request. See para 3.


2. (C) On February 9, Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Nicolas Burns delivered reftel points to Argentine Foreign
Minister Taiana. FM Taiana stated that the GOA would need
time to review the initiative before determining whether it
will sign on to the principles, and participate in, the
initiative. Later on February 9, the DCM spoke with
Ambassador Elsa Kelly, Director of the MFA office of
International Security and Nuclear and Space Issues, who
noted with interest the invitation to the GOA to join the
initiative and promised to review the non-paper which had
been left with the MFA.


3. (C) Given the urgent nature of the demarche, post was
unable to coordinate with the Russian Embassy. Post and the
Russian Embassy have agreed to follow up with the Argentine
Foreign Ministry after the conclusion of the February 12-13
meeting on the Global Nuclear Terrorism Initiative in Ankara.
Post requests that the Department provide a readout soonest
of the Ankara meeting that may be shared with the GOA.
WAYNE