UNSC SANCTIONS ON IRAN: VENEZUELA RECALCITRANT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001527 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA (RNEPHEW) AND WHA/AND E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IR VZ SUBJECT: UNSC SANCTIONS ON IRAN: VENEZUELA RECALCITRANT REF: STATE 101574 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL LAWTON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Charge raised reftel points July 30 with Jorge Valero, Vice Minister of North American and Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs. Charge reminded Valero of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV's) obligations with respect to Iran-related UNSCRs and urged the BRV to fulfill its responsibilities, including submitting implementation reports to the UNSC Iran Sanctions Committee. ¶2. (C) Valero responded that UN sanctions on Iran are a "complex" issue. The BRV accepts Iran's assurances that its nuclear program is peaceful. Valero noted that Venezuela and Iran enjoy close ties "with the active participation of their respective presidents." The BRV is concerned that the declared nuclear powers have not accepted "total nuclear disarmament." The Vice Minister concluded that it would be difficult for the BRV to participate in the "international isolation" of Iran. ¶3. (C) Charge replied that there is international consensus that Iran's enrichment, reprocessing, and heavy water-related activities exceed the needs of a nuclear energy program and that is why the UNSC has directed Iran to suspend these activities. Moreover, the USG's diplomatic strategy coincides with that of the international community, which was not aimed at isolating Iran, but at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Charge stressed the importance of the BRV adhering to UNSC decisions, regardless of whether the BRV agrees with them. FRENCH