Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1058
2008-08-04 08:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
(C) NTI FUEL BANK INITIATIVE: GERMANY WORKING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRL #1058 2170825 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040825Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1837 INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9155 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1948 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 9721 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 1169 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0939 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0351
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001058
SIPDIS, STATE FOR ISN AND EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2033
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM GM
SUBJECT: (C) NTI FUEL BANK INITIATIVE: GERMANY WORKING
WITHIN THE EU REGARDING DONATION DECISION
REF: A. STATE 68313
B. BERLIN 821
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001058
SIPDIS, STATE FOR ISN AND EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2033
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM GM
SUBJECT: (C) NTI FUEL BANK INITIATIVE: GERMANY WORKING
WITHIN THE EU REGARDING DONATION DECISION
REF: A. STATE 68313
B. BERLIN 821
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) German MFA Commissioner for International Energy
Policy, Viktor Elbling, told EMIN and EconOffs in a July 31
meeting that Germany is working within the EU to formulate a
common NTI Fuel Bank Initiative (NTIFBI) position and expects
a donation decision by this September. Elbling complimented
the NTIFBI as a "good initiative" that is philosophically
consistent with the Multilateral Enrichment Sanctuary Program
(MESP) German proposal. However, he cautioned that the
NTIFBI's lack of structure is weakening an EU decision for
support.
2. (C) Asked for his thoughts on the prospects of NTI,
Elbling allowed that NTI is a good initiative and that it is
compatible with MESP. However, he cautioned that "everyone"
should be reflective about the NTIFBI's "many political
implications" and the need to decide exactly how this fuel
bank should work. We emphasized to Elbling that all fuel
bank initiatives have the same basic goals of discouraging
enrichment and that although the NTI has a relatively loose
framework, this allows for greater flexibility to work with
other fuel bank initiatives. We also pointed out that given
the multitude of fuel bank proposals floating around the
NTIFBI may offer an excellent opportunity to gain forward
momentum. Elbling acknowledged this and hoped that the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries would see fuel banks as
an opportunity to gain access to nuclear fuel without
discrimination and thus thwart the incentive to develop their
own enrichment capabilities. Elbling said Germany still
believes the MESP structure would be "a real alternative" and
indicated that MESP and the NTIFBI could work constructively
together under IAEA control.
3. (C) Comment: Elbling expressed a more open tone towards
the NTIFBI than did Dietrich Becker, his officer heading the
Unit for Nuclear Energy and Non-Proliferation, on June 11
(see REF B). Elbling indicated (contrary to what Becker
shared) that the EU is considering pledging support for the
NTIFBI before the grant deadline, although he gave no
indication whether the potential dollar amount would satisfy
the $45 million still needed. At the very least, we should
expect some kind of response from the EU by the IAEA General
Conference this September.
KOENIG
SIPDIS, STATE FOR ISN AND EUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2033
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM GM
SUBJECT: (C) NTI FUEL BANK INITIATIVE: GERMANY WORKING
WITHIN THE EU REGARDING DONATION DECISION
REF: A. STATE 68313
B. BERLIN 821
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) German MFA Commissioner for International Energy
Policy, Viktor Elbling, told EMIN and EconOffs in a July 31
meeting that Germany is working within the EU to formulate a
common NTI Fuel Bank Initiative (NTIFBI) position and expects
a donation decision by this September. Elbling complimented
the NTIFBI as a "good initiative" that is philosophically
consistent with the Multilateral Enrichment Sanctuary Program
(MESP) German proposal. However, he cautioned that the
NTIFBI's lack of structure is weakening an EU decision for
support.
2. (C) Asked for his thoughts on the prospects of NTI,
Elbling allowed that NTI is a good initiative and that it is
compatible with MESP. However, he cautioned that "everyone"
should be reflective about the NTIFBI's "many political
implications" and the need to decide exactly how this fuel
bank should work. We emphasized to Elbling that all fuel
bank initiatives have the same basic goals of discouraging
enrichment and that although the NTI has a relatively loose
framework, this allows for greater flexibility to work with
other fuel bank initiatives. We also pointed out that given
the multitude of fuel bank proposals floating around the
NTIFBI may offer an excellent opportunity to gain forward
momentum. Elbling acknowledged this and hoped that the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries would see fuel banks as
an opportunity to gain access to nuclear fuel without
discrimination and thus thwart the incentive to develop their
own enrichment capabilities. Elbling said Germany still
believes the MESP structure would be "a real alternative" and
indicated that MESP and the NTIFBI could work constructively
together under IAEA control.
3. (C) Comment: Elbling expressed a more open tone towards
the NTIFBI than did Dietrich Becker, his officer heading the
Unit for Nuclear Energy and Non-Proliferation, on June 11
(see REF B). Elbling indicated (contrary to what Becker
shared) that the EU is considering pledging support for the
NTIFBI before the grant deadline, although he gave no
indication whether the potential dollar amount would satisfy
the $45 million still needed. At the very least, we should
expect some kind of response from the EU by the IAEA General
Conference this September.
KOENIG