Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA927
2008-09-17 07:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA EXPLORING ADDITIONAL STEPS IN RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXRO4484 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHBY #0927/01 2610735 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 170735Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0167 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNNSG/NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP PRIORITY RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE PRIORITY 5579 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH PRIORITY 3852 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY 3781 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0319 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0691 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1947
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000927
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN, IO, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IAEA PREL IR AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA EXPLORING ADDITIONAL STEPS IN RESPONSE
TO IRAN'S URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
CANBERRA 00000927 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000927
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN, IO, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IAEA PREL IR AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA EXPLORING ADDITIONAL STEPS IN RESPONSE
TO IRAN'S URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
CANBERRA 00000927 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) In remarks to the Australian Parliament September 17
that were picked up by local media, Foreign Minister Stephen
Smith said Australia was considering additional measures it
might take within the international community to respond to
Iran's failure to halt its uranium enrichment program. Smith
noted the September 15 report of the International Atomic
Energy Agency confirmed Iran was continuing its uranium
enrichment and reprocessing activities in defiance of four
legally-binding UN Security Council resolutions. He charged
Iran with failing to give the IAEA needed access to assess
the nature of Iran's nulear activities and remove justifiable
doubts of the international community regarding Iran's
intentions. Smith voiced support for the efforts of the
permanent members of the UNSC and Germany to engage
constructively with Iran, including their offer of a generous
incentive package, and welcomed the EU's June 23 travel and
financial sanctions.
2. (U) Excerpts from FM Smith's statement follow:
I am deeply concerned by a report released by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 15 September
that confirms Iran is persisting with its uranium enrichment
and reprocessing-related activities in violation of four
legally binding UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
It shows that Iran has, yet again, failed to provide the IAEA
with the access it needs to give credible assurances about
the nature of Iran's nuclear program.
Mr. Speaker, the IAEA has comprehensive and detailed
information which suggests that Iran has conducted studies
into nuclear weapons and military involvement in nuclear
procurement.
Iran continues to dismiss this information as "forged and
fabricated" and to hinder the IAEA's investigation into these
issues.
These actions are not those of a state seeking to address the
international community's concerns about the nature of its
nuclear program.
Iran needs to comply immediately with its obligations and
suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing-related
activities.
It must grant the IAEA the access it needs to remove the
international community's justifiable doubts about Iran's
peaceful intentions.
Australia supports the efforts of the permanent members of
the UNSC (and) Germany to engage constructively with Iran,
and the generous incentives package they have offered Iran
should it suspend its enrichment activities.
It is in Iran's interests to accept the incentives package,
which represents the best way to resolve the nuclear issue to
the benefit of all.
Iran has a clear choice: cooperation or face further
isolation from the international community
Australia has made a firm commitment against the spread of
nuclear weapons. We strongly support, and have implemented
fully, UNSC sanctions against Iran, which target Iran's
proliferation sensitive nuclear activities.
Australian has implemented into law these sanctions,
including financial and travel restrictions, as well as a
prohibition on the supply of specific goods, services and
financing which could assist Iran's nuclear and missile
programs.
Mr. Speaker, we welcomed European Union agreement on 23 June
to new travel and financial sanctions aimed at pressuring
Qto new travel and financial sanctions aimed at pressuring
Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
In light of Iran's continuing failure to comply with its
international obligations, the Government is considering what
further measures it can take with the international community
to bring further pressure to bear on Iran.
CANBERRA 00000927 002.2 OF 002
End excerpts.
MCCALLUM
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN, IO, AND EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IAEA PREL IR AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA EXPLORING ADDITIONAL STEPS IN RESPONSE
TO IRAN'S URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
CANBERRA 00000927 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) In remarks to the Australian Parliament September 17
that were picked up by local media, Foreign Minister Stephen
Smith said Australia was considering additional measures it
might take within the international community to respond to
Iran's failure to halt its uranium enrichment program. Smith
noted the September 15 report of the International Atomic
Energy Agency confirmed Iran was continuing its uranium
enrichment and reprocessing activities in defiance of four
legally-binding UN Security Council resolutions. He charged
Iran with failing to give the IAEA needed access to assess
the nature of Iran's nulear activities and remove justifiable
doubts of the international community regarding Iran's
intentions. Smith voiced support for the efforts of the
permanent members of the UNSC and Germany to engage
constructively with Iran, including their offer of a generous
incentive package, and welcomed the EU's June 23 travel and
financial sanctions.
2. (U) Excerpts from FM Smith's statement follow:
I am deeply concerned by a report released by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 15 September
that confirms Iran is persisting with its uranium enrichment
and reprocessing-related activities in violation of four
legally binding UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
It shows that Iran has, yet again, failed to provide the IAEA
with the access it needs to give credible assurances about
the nature of Iran's nuclear program.
Mr. Speaker, the IAEA has comprehensive and detailed
information which suggests that Iran has conducted studies
into nuclear weapons and military involvement in nuclear
procurement.
Iran continues to dismiss this information as "forged and
fabricated" and to hinder the IAEA's investigation into these
issues.
These actions are not those of a state seeking to address the
international community's concerns about the nature of its
nuclear program.
Iran needs to comply immediately with its obligations and
suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing-related
activities.
It must grant the IAEA the access it needs to remove the
international community's justifiable doubts about Iran's
peaceful intentions.
Australia supports the efforts of the permanent members of
the UNSC (and) Germany to engage constructively with Iran,
and the generous incentives package they have offered Iran
should it suspend its enrichment activities.
It is in Iran's interests to accept the incentives package,
which represents the best way to resolve the nuclear issue to
the benefit of all.
Iran has a clear choice: cooperation or face further
isolation from the international community
Australia has made a firm commitment against the spread of
nuclear weapons. We strongly support, and have implemented
fully, UNSC sanctions against Iran, which target Iran's
proliferation sensitive nuclear activities.
Australian has implemented into law these sanctions,
including financial and travel restrictions, as well as a
prohibition on the supply of specific goods, services and
financing which could assist Iran's nuclear and missile
programs.
Mr. Speaker, we welcomed European Union agreement on 23 June
to new travel and financial sanctions aimed at pressuring
Qto new travel and financial sanctions aimed at pressuring
Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
In light of Iran's continuing failure to comply with its
international obligations, the Government is considering what
further measures it can take with the international community
to bring further pressure to bear on Iran.
CANBERRA 00000927 002.2 OF 002
End excerpts.
MCCALLUM