PHILIPPINES WELCOMES INFORMATION ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 003963 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/RA (NEPHEW),IO/T (VONBEHREN),EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017 TAGS: PREL UNGA PARM KNNP IR RP MNUC IAEA AORC SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES WELCOMES INFORMATION ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES REF: A. SECSTATE 165967 ¶B. SECSTATE 162558 Classified By: Acting DCM Tom Gibbons, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Per reftel B, Post shared key assessments from the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's nuclear program December 5 with Acting A/S Grace Princesa and Director Leah Ruiz, both of the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations (UNIO). Polcouns highlighted the NIE conclusions that Iran had a nuclear weapons program and that international scrutiny and pressure led the regime to halt the program in 2003. Polcouns underscored the conclusion that Iran could restart the program and has retained the option of developing nuclear weapons because Iran's centrifuge enrichment activities allow it to continue to develop highly enriched uranium. Princesa and Ruiz wanted to confirm that U.S. would be open to entering into negotiations under the June 2006 P5 1 offer, which includes the prospect of suspending UNSC sanctions and holding direct U.S.-Iran talks, if Iran meets its UNSC obligations. Princesa and Ruiz said that they appreciated the NIE information and would convey the unclassified non-paper to appropriate superiors and other concerned DFA officials. ¶2. (C) Poloff followed up December 13 with Ruiz to provide additional points in reftel A. Poloff emphasized that our policy on Iran has not changed and that Iran continues to enrich uranium and build ballistic missiles. Ruiz said that she and Princesa have been paying particular attention to the Iranian nuclear issue because the Philippines sits on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Ruiz asked a series of clarifying questions and said she would report to Geneva and to her DFA superiors. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov. KENNEY