PRC INFORMED OF IRAN'S IR-2 CENTRIFUGE CRITICAL

UNCLAS BEIJING 001938 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP TRGY PREL PARM MNUC AORC IAEA UNSC CH IR SUBJECT: PRC INFORMED OF IRAN'S IR-2 CENTRIFUGE CRITICAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS REF: STATE 52030 ¶1. (U) MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Nuclear Division Deputy Director Sun Lei told PolOff on May 19 that the PRC will closely examine reftel nonpaper and color photographs delineating Iran's critical equipment needs for their IR-2 centrifuge program. Sun asked several times if the photos or nonpaper were classified and asked numerous questions about the status of Iran's IR-2 program. PolOff told Sun all of the information is unclassified and that the Iranian IR-2 program was still in the testing and development phase, making it critical to prevent Iran from importing the necessary technologies and materials noted in the nonpaper. ¶2. (U) Reiterating that China abides by all UNSCR requirements and Nuclear Supplier Group regulations, Sun claimed PRC export controls are "very stringent," and assured PolOff that the MFA would report reftel information to the relevant authorities. RANDT NNNN End Cable Text