SERBIA: P5+1 PACKAGE AND SIMULTANEOUS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 000619 SENSITIVE SIPDIS ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW NEA/IR FOR ROLAND MCKAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IR PGOV SR SUBJECT: SERBIA: P5+1 PACKAGE AND SIMULTANEOUS VISIT BY IRAN'S IAEA AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE REF: STATE 64530 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On June 19 we presented the updated P5+1 Package to the MFA's Section Chief for Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf States, Vasilje Petkovic. Petkovic said he was encouraged by the extensive package. Simultaneous to our delivery of reftel demarche, Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh was in Belgrade on a three day visit. MFA insisted it was not a government sponsored visit, though Soltanieh spoke at two public institutions in Serbia. End Summary. Package is Very Fair -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The P5+1 package was quite extensive, fair, and "something Iran should accept," Petkovic told us on June 19 upon receiving details of reftel demarche. Serbia was supportive of the P5+1 process and would continue to be cooperative, Petkovic said. He said he would inform us of any further reaction from Serbia to the package. Serbia-Iran Relations -------------- ¶3. (SBU) According to Petkovic, the only major bilateral issue Serbia and Iran were currently discussing was a "Road Traffic Agreement." That reciprocal agreement would permit up to 2,000 Iranian commercial vehicles to transit Serbia each year on their way to Western Europe. That agreement, he said, had been initialed by both parties but not yet signed. Visit of Iranian Ambassador Soltanieh -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Petkovic said that the Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Soltanieh was currently in Belgrade for a visit. Petkovic said to his knowledge Soltanieh was not meeting with any officials from the Government of Serbia, but instead was speaking at local academic institutions. Petkovic confirmed on June 20 that Soltanieh had not been invited by the Serbian Government, but rather his trip had been arranged by the Iranian Ambassador to Serbia in coordination with the Institute of International Politics and Economics (IIPE) in Belgrade. Soltanieh spoke at Belgrade's Faculty for Security Studies on June 19 and the IIPE on June 20. The Israeli DCM told us on June 20 that his embassy had protested to the Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty for Security Studies regarding Soltanieh's visit and would convey the same message to the MFA. Soltanieh Speaks on Iran's Nuclear Program and Against U.S. -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) During his speeches to the University of Belgrade and IIPE, Soltanieh gave a presentation entitled "Facts on Iran's Peaceful Nuclear Program." (Soltanieh's written statements have been sent to ISN and NEA via email.) In his presentations, which were open to both students and diplomats, Soltanieh spoke against sanctions and against U.S. policy, and said Iran had not violated any IAEA accords and was fully cooperating. "Iran is showing resistance against those countries that want to limit developing countries," Soltanieh said at the IIPE. Soltanieh said Iran had received the P5+1 package and that it was under consideration. "All sides should come to the negotiating table without preconceived conditions," said Soltanieh. COMMENT -------------- BELGRADE 00000619 002 OF 002 ¶6. (SBU) Serbia has been, and remains, cooperative on Iran issues. Though Soltanieh's visit appears to be coincidental and not directly coordinated with the government, we will encourage Serbia to weigh the potential damage to the country's international image that this type of engagement with Iran may bring. End Comment. PEDERSON