MFA REPLIES TO IRAN DEMARCHES (ILSA)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000889 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR, NEA, AND ISN/CPI (KMCGEEHAN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2017 TAGS: ETTC ENRG EFIN MNUC IR BO SUBJECT: MFA REPLIES TO IRAN DEMARCHES (ILSA) REF: A. State 132904 ¶B. State 129914 ¶C. State 146291 ¶D. Minsk 817 ¶E. Minsk 820 Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On October 22, the Head of the MFA's North America Department Sergey Sergeyev met with the DCM to discuss a host of topics, chief among them issues related to Belarusian relations with Iran. While little new information was offered, Sergeyev's approach enabled the DCM to deliver our request for additional information on Belneftekhim and Belarusneft contracts for Iran's Jofeir field. End summary. Little New Info on Bank Markazi, Iran's Nuclear Program -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On the topic of Iran's Bank Markazi opening a correspondent account with the National Bank of Belarus (refs A, D),Sergeyev offered little, except to say that Belarus was aware of its responsibilities under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747 and would be monitoring Bank Markazi's activity in Belarus accordingly. ¶3. (C) As for Belarus' position on Iran's nuclear program (ref B, E),Sergeyev said that Belarus was committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and seized of the importance of nuclear non-proliferation. He added that Belarus was equally committed to Iran's right, as a party to the NPT, to peaceful use of atomic energy. The GOB position was that Iran should demonstrate transparency and the peaceful intent of its nuclear activity and that a diplomatic solution to the question of Iran's nuclear program must be found. DCM Inquires About Jofeir Fields Contracts, Credits -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The DCM took the occasion of Sergeyev's remarks on Iran to inquire about the recent reports of Belarusian contracts to assist in the development of the Jofeir oil field. He told Sergeyev that the USG was interested in any additional information the MFA could supply on Belneftekhim and Belarusneft contracts for work in Iran as well as for credit arrangements made to finance such work (ref C). Sergeyev accepted the request. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) While Sergeyev expressed his desire to continue a dialogue on issues related to Iran, it is highly unlikely that GOB monitoring of Bank Markazi or our request for data on Jofeir fields projects is likely to result in much, if any, substantive information sharing. Stewart