UNSCR 1737 COMPLIANCE: TANZANIA CONSIDERING

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000264 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ISN/RA FOR RNEPHEW ALSO FOR IO AND NEA AF/E FOR BYODER, AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2017 TAGS: KNNP IR TZ SUBJECT: UNSCR 1737 COMPLIANCE: TANZANIA CONSIDERING SENDING A DELEGATION TO TEHRAN REF: STATE 023001 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission, D. Purnell Delly for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Charles Sanga, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Deputy Chief of Mission February 26 that Tanzania and many African countries were "jittery" over Iran's non-compliance with UNSCR 1737 and defiance of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) recommendations. Sanga stressed, "Tanzania's position is clear: We staunchly oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons by any country, whether friend or foe." Sanga noted that Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and needs to honor its treaty obligations. He shared that senior levels of the Government of Tanzania (GOT) were exploring the possibility of sending a delegation to Tehran, urging the Government of Iran to meet its NPT responsibilities and comply with UNSCR 1737. ¶2. (C) The DCM noted that many countries respect Tanzania's independent voice and listen closely to what the GOT has to say. He urged that Tanzania take advantage of its reputation and discuss with Iran the need to immediately comply with UNSCR 1737. The DCM reiterated that the USG and the other members of the P5 plus One have put a fair package of incentives on the table that include direct U.S.-Iranian talks, if Iran agrees to abandon its present course. "A GOT official mission to Iran to discuss frankly the serious consequences of Iranian non-compliance would be welcomed by Washington," the DCM noted. ¶3. (C) Sanga inquired what might be the best timing to send a delegation to Tehran. "If the situation continues to deteriorate, we would not want our officials to be trapped in Iran," he confided. The DCM suggested that sending a GOT delegation sooner rather than later would be optimal. Sanga said that senior level officials were exploring "several possibilities" and he would let the Embassy know as soon as a decision was made. RETZER