SOUTH AFRICA RESPONDS TO GNEP INVITATION

UNCLAS PRETORIA 003061 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S, EEB/ESC, ISN DOE FOR SPERL, PERSON, BIENAWSKI, AND PARKER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG TRGY KNNP IAEA SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA RESPONDS TO GNEP INVITATION REF: A. STATE 121724 ¶B. STATE 118280 ¶C. STATE 114102 ¶D. PRETORIA 3012 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The SAG is interested in the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) and is considering whether Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica can change her travel schedule in order to participate. Defining a role for South Africa in GNEP might support U.S. efforts to sell and expand the partnership to other countries. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Economic Counselor and Minerals and Energy Officer delivered the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) invitation and information on the Ministerial in Vienna September 16 (Reftels) to Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) Chief Director: Nuclear Tselio Maqubela on August 27, following up with a cover letter signed by the CDA on August ¶28. Embassy officers also delivered an electronic copy of the materials to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Director Fadl Nacerodien. DME POC is Mahlatsi Koma (mahlatsi.koma@dme.gov.za; ( 27 12) 317 8356). Embassy POC is Energy Officer David Young (YoungDK@state.gov; ( 27 12) 431 4681). ¶3. (SBU) Maqubela promised to check with Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica about her participation in the GNEP event, but was unable to promise her attendance, noting that she planned to arrive in Vienna on the afternoon of September 16 for the IAEA Ministerial the following day. Maqubela sought confirmation that the GNEP Statement of Principles was not a binding international treaty. Economic Counselor subsequently confirmed the voluntary and non-binding nature of the GNEP Partnership and associated Principles. ¶4. (SBU) Maqubela recommended that there be prior consultation with many developing countries in order to build consensus and avoid the perception of exclusivity on the part of the developed countries. He then expanded at length on the positive example of collaborative progress made in explaining and obtaining support for the U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement with India. "The point is to build consensus before you formalize things," Maqubela said. "You should talk to some developing countries (i.e., South Africa) and gain the support of a number of them. If you form partnerships with just major countries, you risk alienating developing countries that could have participated if they had been consulted earlier," he continued. "There are a lot of things going on in the nuclear area where we could have done more if the approach had been different." Maqubela observed that "there is now a broad understanding on the India issue, given good consultation and information sharing." He applauded that the India issue was worked closely in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. But, he asked: "The question remains how this will affect the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)? And what happens to Israel and Pakistan -- will there be more separate deals?" Minerals and Energy Officer pointed out the broad invitation list to the GNEP Ministerial, including demarches and consultations in capitals, as evidence of the effort to include developing countries. ¶5. (SBU) Returning to the invitation to participate in GNEP, Maqubela asked what would be the appropriate representation in the event that the Minister is unable to participate, noting that it may have to be the SAG Ambassador in Vienna. Embassy Officers urged the highest possible level of SAG participation, but said that any representation would be better than none at all. Embassy Officers also discussed the new SAG draft nuclear energy policy (Ref D),the Westinghouse bid for new nuclear power stations (Septel),the proposed bilateral nuclear R&D cooperation agreement (Septel),and the program for return of spent fuel (Septel). ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Defining a role for South Africa in GNEP might support U.S. efforts to expand the partnership to other countries. For example, South Africa could be a valuable partner in providing comprehensive fuel services, perhaps as part of a consortium that does not involve sharing enrichment technology. End Comment. Teitelbaum