IAEA/SYRIAN TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT: BERLIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001583 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE STATE FOR ISN/RA (RICHARD NEPHEW, JODY DANIEL, AND HEATHER VON BEHREN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2033 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA TRGY SY GM SUBJECT: IAEA/SYRIAN TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT: BERLIN NONCOMMITTAL REF: A. STATE 123074 ¶B. STATE 124611 Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On November 25, Dr. Joerg Polster (protect),MFA Nuclear Energy Policy officer, told us that Germany had not yet formulated a position on whether to support IAEA Technical Cooperation (TC) with Syria. Recognizing US objectives to prevent TC with Syria, he said that "we are not yet operational" on deciding to support cooperation, adding that Germany needs more time for discussion. Noting that Germany remains in the "receiving mode" on this issue, he said they would welcome any further information from the USG. ¶2. (C) During a November 21 meeting with Nicolei von Schoepff (protect),MFA Disarmament and Arms Control Office Director, also reported that no decision had been agreed to regarding support for the Syria resolution. Schoepff added that there is concern that the Syria resolution could lead Arab states to push for language condemning Israel's attack on the al-Kibar site. TIMKEN JR