RAISING TUWAITHA WITH PM MALIKI

S E C R E T STATE 163968 SIPDIS SIPDIS SLUG FOR ECON COUNSELOR TODD SCHWARTZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2032 TAGS: ECON PARM PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: RAISING TUWAITHA WITH PM MALIKI REF: A. BAGHDAD 3775 ¶B. STATE 154502 ¶C. STATE 159660 ¶D. BAGHDAD 3911 Classified By: NEA DAS LAWRENCE BUTLER FOR REASONS 1.4 (A),(B),(D) AND (H) SUMMARY ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. The assets DOD and DOE have moved in theatre cannot be fully utilized for the removal of Tuwaitha's yellowcake and four irradiators (Operation McCall) until the GOI takes several specific actions. Post is requested to pursue the objectives with Prime Minister Maliki as soon as possible and to continue to pursue these objectives until they are achieved. OBJECTIVES ¶2. (S) Post is requested to pursue the following objectives with PM Maliki and other senior GOI officials as necessary to execute Operation McCall as close as possible to the timetable that will maximize USG assets dedicated to this mission: -- Obtain a signed authorization from the GOI (could be a person or an entity, such as the Tuwaitha Committee, as long as the signatory represents a legally empowered GOI authority) that grants the USG authority to remove from Iraq the yellowcake and four irradiators at Tuwaitha; -- Obtain a GOI decision no later than December 20 on a destination to which the yellowcake can be taken; ideally the destination would be the buyer's country, though other destinations are possible, such as a conversion or storage facility in a third country; -- Identify the GOI representative or entity authorized to negotiate and sign contracts for sale, assignment to a conversion facility, or for temporary storage outside Iraq; -- Request GOI participation in meetings with potential buyers in Paris this month (USG has elicited interest from at least two buyers who have evaluated teh technical information),noting that on potential buyer, GE-Hitachi Nuclear has recently sent a Letter of Interest and has expressed an interested in meeting with the appropriate GOI officials at the earliest possible date; -- Deliver the Letter of Interest from GE-Hitachi Nuclear that is being sent by Official-Informal. -- Apprise GOI that based on earlier discussions of this issue, USG assessed that the next three months constitute the best time frame for removal, and as a result U.S. assets have been committed, contracts have been let, and we are prepared to remove the irradiators and begin repacking yellowcake this month if we have a destination; yellowcake removal could begin as early as February. REPORTING DEADLINE Post should report ASAP on the meeting with PM Maliki. BACKGROUND See reftels and PCC Summary of Conclusions from Nov 30 and Dec 5. POINTS OF CONTACT (U) Please contact ISN/RA Jody Daniel at 202-647-9486 or NEA/I-PM Peter Evans at 202-647-7642 or via email with any questions or for any further background information if needed. Please also slug esponses for the NSC to Mary Alice Hayward and Matthias Mitman, and DOE for Will Tobey. RICE