Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERN636
2008-12-12 10:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
SWISS REACTION TO PREVENTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSW #0636 3471022 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121022Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5532 INFO RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 3016 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0074
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000636
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (J.DANIEL AND B.HEIDLBERG) AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA TRGY SY IR SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REACTION TO PREVENTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SYRIA'S TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT
REF: A. SECSTATE 127578
B. BERN 603
Classified By: POL/E Counselor Richard Rorvig;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000636
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (J.DANIEL AND B.HEIDLBERG) AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA TRGY SY IR SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REACTION TO PREVENTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SYRIA'S TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT
REF: A. SECSTATE 127578
B. BERN 603
Classified By: POL/E Counselor Richard Rorvig;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff delivered the reftel A nonpaper to Jean-Daniel
Praz, Deputy Head of the Arms Control and Disarmament Section
of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA),on December
8. Referring to Israel and Syria as "the aggressor and the
aggressed," Praz noted that the Swiss had called on both
countries to provide all the information they have on the
Al-Kabir facility to the IAEA. He added that Israel should
provide to the IAEA any information it has that might help
the IAEA to assess the uranium particles that the IAEA
inspectors found at the site. Praz also added that if the
next report on the Al-Kabir facility comes out with the same
questions unanswered, it would be more difficult for the IAEA
to rationalize its technical assistance to Syria.
2. (C) Referencing the nonpaper's call for Switzerland not to
provide Syria with technical assistance in its quest to
develop a nuclear power plant, Praz said it was very unlikely
the GOS would be asked, as the government itself is not in a
position to provide such aid. Praz added, however, that
Switzerland-based, Sweden-owned firm Colenco conceivably
could be approached by Syria in this regard. Should this
occur, Praz said it would be difficult for Switzerland to
step in to prevent such assistance. In this context, he
noted that the GOS is still awaiting a determination from the
IAEA on whether Colenco's dealings with Iran conform to UNSC
sanctions. Praz said that since there are no Security
Council resolutions prohibiting civil nuclear cooperation
with Syria, the GOS would have a problem prohibiting
Colenco's work with Syria, should such assistance be sought.
CARTER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/RA (J.DANIEL AND B.HEIDLBERG) AND EUR/CE
(Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018
TAGS: PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA TRGY SY IR SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS REACTION TO PREVENTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SYRIA'S TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT
REF: A. SECSTATE 127578
B. BERN 603
Classified By: POL/E Counselor Richard Rorvig;
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff delivered the reftel A nonpaper to Jean-Daniel
Praz, Deputy Head of the Arms Control and Disarmament Section
of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA),on December
8. Referring to Israel and Syria as "the aggressor and the
aggressed," Praz noted that the Swiss had called on both
countries to provide all the information they have on the
Al-Kabir facility to the IAEA. He added that Israel should
provide to the IAEA any information it has that might help
the IAEA to assess the uranium particles that the IAEA
inspectors found at the site. Praz also added that if the
next report on the Al-Kabir facility comes out with the same
questions unanswered, it would be more difficult for the IAEA
to rationalize its technical assistance to Syria.
2. (C) Referencing the nonpaper's call for Switzerland not to
provide Syria with technical assistance in its quest to
develop a nuclear power plant, Praz said it was very unlikely
the GOS would be asked, as the government itself is not in a
position to provide such aid. Praz added, however, that
Switzerland-based, Sweden-owned firm Colenco conceivably
could be approached by Syria in this regard. Should this
occur, Praz said it would be difficult for Switzerland to
step in to prevent such assistance. In this context, he
noted that the GOS is still awaiting a determination from the
IAEA on whether Colenco's dealings with Iran conform to UNSC
sanctions. Praz said that since there are no Security
Council resolutions prohibiting civil nuclear cooperation
with Syria, the GOS would have a problem prohibiting
Colenco's work with Syria, should such assistance be sought.
CARTER