DPRK: MFA ON ENFORCING UNSCR 1718

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000296 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017 TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM MNUC ETTC KN RS SUBJECT: DPRK: MFA ON ENFORCING UNSCR 1718 REF: A. STATE 3778 ¶B. 06 MOSCOW 12586 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) We discussed ref A request that Russia take steps under UNSCR 1718 to inspect flights and cargo of proliferation concern from the DPRK on January 23 with Vladimir Safronkov, Chief of the UN Political Affairs Section in the MFA's International Organizations Department. We also highlighted reftel's offer of USG technical assistance in inspecting cargo to and from the DPRK. (Note: Charge had initially shared this information with MFA North America on January 12.) ¶2. (C) After reiterating the GOR's intention to fully implement UNSCR 1718, Safronkov said that the MFA would closely review the request to inspect suspect flights and cargo and the offer to provide technical assistance. On a preliminary basis, he suggested that the assistance offer might find a more ready audience in the GOR if it was not completely focused on the DPRK, but was more broadly pitched at countering proliferation threats. ¶3. (C) Turning to the GOR interagency process to implement UNSCR 1718 (ref B),Safronkov confided that drafting a legally binding presidential decree was taking longer than expected. The MFA was now pressuring relevant agencies to provide specific language for the decree. He did not offer a timeline for likely completion and transmission to the Presidential Administration, but said the MFA recognized the need to act expeditiously. BURNS