Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1402
2008-09-09 15:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION

Tags:  KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY ENRG EMIN ETTC IR BE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #1402 2531525
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 091525Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7980
INFO RUCNNSG/NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001402 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/PRA AND ISN/RA:RMONGIELLO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY ENRG EMIN ETTC IR BE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION
OF URANIUM

REF: STATE 91530

Classified By: POL Counselor Richard Eason, reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001402

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/PRA AND ISN/RA:RMONGIELLO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY ENRG EMIN ETTC IR BE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION
OF URANIUM

REF: STATE 91530

Classified By: POL Counselor Richard Eason, reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (SBU) On September 9 Poloff delivered reftel points
regarding prevention of Iran's acquisition of uranium to
Werner Bauens, Director of the Non-Proliferation and Export
Controls Office of the Minstry of Foreign Affairs. Bauens
noted that Belgium is not a producer of uranium, but admitted
that Belgian companies may be involved in uranium trade as
brokers or other types of middlemen. He said that the GOB
understands the importance of controlling official exports of
uranium ore to Iran, and works with the IAEA to that end.
Poloff called attention to the UNSC resolutions and NSG
guidelines mentioned in reftel non-paper which provide a
legal basis for action by the GOB in appropriate cases.


2. (C) Having taken the point about overt shipments, Bauens
said that the GOB is more concerned about clandestine
shipments of uranium to Iran, destined for clandestine
nuclear facilities in that country. He recalled that a
shipment of uranium produced in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC) had been stopped in an African port in the
recent past, and was suspected of being headed for Iran. The
GOB is working with the IAEA to monitor and share information
about such shipments. It is also prepared to cooperate with
the United States and other partners to address the issue.


3. (C) Bauens continued that the Chinese are actively
exploiting DRC's mineral wealth, hoping for short-term
profits. He advocated engaging the Chinese in efforts to
control uranium smuggling from the DRC. The West should not
regard China as an adversary but as a partner in such
efforts, he added. Drawing on Belgium's experience with the
Congolese, he said, China should be warned that there is
little reason to trust partners who have been paid off to
permit quick profits and persuaded that normal, transparent
business practices are more beneficial in the long run. He
regretted that Belgium's current relationship with the DRC
government is cold and diminishes Belgian influence on such
issues as uranium smuggling. He recommended development of
plurilateral fora for engaging the DRC. One of the most
pressing issues, he believes, is cleanup and removal of
poorly guarded fuel rods still stored at a disused research
reactor in Kinshasa.

FOX
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