Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA713
2008-07-15 07:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA KEEPING ITS COUNSEL ON INDIA-IAEA
how-toP 150704Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9862 INFO AMCONSUL MELBOURNE PRIORITY AMCONSUL PERTH PRIORITY AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000713
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/RA T.KOCA, SCA/RA J.MCCLELLAN, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2018
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL ETTC IN AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA KEEPING ITS COUNSEL ON INDIA-IAEA
SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT; NO DECISION YET ON GNEP
REF: STATE 74896
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole. Reasons: 1.4(b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000713
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/RA T.KOCA, SCA/RA J.MCCLELLAN, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2018
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL ETTC IN AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA KEEPING ITS COUNSEL ON INDIA-IAEA
SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT; NO DECISION YET ON GNEP
REF: STATE 74896
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole. Reasons: 1.4(b),(d)
1. (C) Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and
Counter-Proliferation Ian Biggs told us July 15 that Foreign
Minister Smith and Prime Minister Rudd are currently
reviewing a recommendation from the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade on the Australian position on the Indian
nuclear safeguards agreement recently circulated by the IAEA.
He declined to provide details of the recommendation or to
speculate on Australia's stance, noting it was a difficult
decision for the government, but stressed that it would be in
Australia's strategic interest to have India's nuclear
program brought at least partially under IAEA supervision.
Biggs said the Australian Mission in Vienna was also
consulting with the IAEA to make sure the GOA had a complete
understanding of the agreement and its implications for
members. Regardless of Australia's ultimate position on the
safeguards agreement, he added, it would not affect the Rudd
government's standing policy not to export uranium to India
as a non-signatory of the NPT.
2. (C) Biggs raised the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP),denying press stories in The Australian and on the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on July 15
suggesting the Australian government had decided to rejoin
GNEP. The Australian government has not made a decision on
whether to continue participation, he asserted.
CLUNE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/RA T.KOCA, SCA/RA J.MCCLELLAN, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2018
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL ETTC IN AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA KEEPING ITS COUNSEL ON INDIA-IAEA
SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT; NO DECISION YET ON GNEP
REF: STATE 74896
Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole. Reasons: 1.4(b),(d)
1. (C) Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and
Counter-Proliferation Ian Biggs told us July 15 that Foreign
Minister Smith and Prime Minister Rudd are currently
reviewing a recommendation from the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade on the Australian position on the Indian
nuclear safeguards agreement recently circulated by the IAEA.
He declined to provide details of the recommendation or to
speculate on Australia's stance, noting it was a difficult
decision for the government, but stressed that it would be in
Australia's strategic interest to have India's nuclear
program brought at least partially under IAEA supervision.
Biggs said the Australian Mission in Vienna was also
consulting with the IAEA to make sure the GOA had a complete
understanding of the agreement and its implications for
members. Regardless of Australia's ultimate position on the
safeguards agreement, he added, it would not affect the Rudd
government's standing policy not to export uranium to India
as a non-signatory of the NPT.
2. (C) Biggs raised the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP),denying press stories in The Australian and on the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on July 15
suggesting the Australian government had decided to rejoin
GNEP. The Australian government has not made a decision on
whether to continue participation, he asserted.
CLUNE