Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERN603
2008-11-26 09:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
SYRIAN REQUEST FOR IAEA TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSW #0603 3310951 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 260951Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5477 INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0073
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000603
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (R.NEWPHEW; B.HEIDLBERG),IO/T
(H.VONBEHREN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP IAEA SY SZ
SUBJECT: SYRIAN REQUEST FOR IAEA TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
SWISS SHARE USG CONCERNS, BUT DISAGREE WITH APPROACH
REF: A. STATE 124611
B. BERN 600
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Leigh G. Carter;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000603
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (R.NEWPHEW; B.HEIDLBERG),IO/T
(H.VONBEHREN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP IAEA SY SZ
SUBJECT: SYRIAN REQUEST FOR IAEA TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
SWISS SHARE USG CONCERNS, BUT DISAGREE WITH APPROACH
REF: A. STATE 124611
B. BERN 600
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Leigh G. Carter;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) CDA delivered the message in reftel A at 09:20 hrs
(CET) on November 25 to Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, Head of
the Political Secretariat (Security Policy Division) of the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA). Pitteloud
responded that the GOS shares USG concerns regarding IAEA
technical cooperation with Syria, particularly in light of
the IAEA Secretariat's November 19 report regarding the
Al-Kibar site.
2. (C) However, as much as Switzerland shares USG concerns
and would like to say "yes" to the USG's request for Swiss
engagement in the Technical Assistance Cooperation Committee
(TACC) on this issue, the GOS does not believe that the TACC
is the appropriate forum for raising these concerns.
Pitteloud maintained that the TACC is not the place for such
"political" discussion, assessing that IAEA technical and
legal requirements favor Syria's position in that venue.
Pitteloud concluded by assuring the CDA that Switzerland is
prepared to speak out in the November 27-28 IAEA BOG and
express concern regarding Syria's nuclear program and IAEA
technical cooperation with Syria.
CARTER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (R.NEWPHEW; B.HEIDLBERG),IO/T
(H.VONBEHREN),EUR/PRA, AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP IAEA SY SZ
SUBJECT: SYRIAN REQUEST FOR IAEA TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
SWISS SHARE USG CONCERNS, BUT DISAGREE WITH APPROACH
REF: A. STATE 124611
B. BERN 600
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Leigh G. Carter;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) CDA delivered the message in reftel A at 09:20 hrs
(CET) on November 25 to Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, Head of
the Political Secretariat (Security Policy Division) of the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA). Pitteloud
responded that the GOS shares USG concerns regarding IAEA
technical cooperation with Syria, particularly in light of
the IAEA Secretariat's November 19 report regarding the
Al-Kibar site.
2. (C) However, as much as Switzerland shares USG concerns
and would like to say "yes" to the USG's request for Swiss
engagement in the Technical Assistance Cooperation Committee
(TACC) on this issue, the GOS does not believe that the TACC
is the appropriate forum for raising these concerns.
Pitteloud maintained that the TACC is not the place for such
"political" discussion, assessing that IAEA technical and
legal requirements favor Syria's position in that venue.
Pitteloud concluded by assuring the CDA that Switzerland is
prepared to speak out in the November 27-28 IAEA BOG and
express concern regarding Syria's nuclear program and IAEA
technical cooperation with Syria.
CARTER