PANAMA: IRAN NIE DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001829 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2022 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL UNSC IR PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: IRAN NIE DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 162558 Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Never Let Your Guard Down -------------- ¶1. (C) "You can never let your guard down with Iran," Panamanian First VP and FM Samuel Lewis told Ambassador in response to delivery of reftel demarche. "We are working well with the U.S. a various levels on this issue." Concurring that it remained important to ensure that Iran respected Chapter VII UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and that Iran fulfilled its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),Lewis underscored the "importance of maintaining P-5 cohesion on this issue." MFA Senior Advisor for UNSC Matters Nils Castro, who accompanied Lewis, thanked the U.S. for facilitating a technical briefing on Iran's nuclear program by a Department expert scheduled for December 5. "We have great difficulty understanding much of the technical issues concerning Iran's nuclear program," Castro said. "We appreciate the U.S.'s willingness to help educate us." -------------- Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) Lewis' willingness to see Ambassador on about two hours notice highlights his desire to be helpful to the U.S. on the Iran issue in the UNSC. Lewis was also very appreciative of U.S. efforts to engage the GOP as a partner in the UNSC and to share extensive information regarding the U.S. views on Iran. "I have been following closely the various communications from your government concerning Iran over the past few weeks," Lewis added. The December 5 briefing by an ISN expert provides a sterling opportunity to consolidate Panamanian support for the U.S. position, recruit an E-10 member willing to carry water for the U.S. in the UNSC, and ascertain in greater depth Panama's views on Iran's nuclear program. EATON