Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW1001
2008-04-11 13:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
MFA COOL TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT GAZPROM INVESTMENT
VZCZCXRO9975 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHMO #1001 1021330 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111330Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7569 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001001
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GALLOGLY AND WRIGHT
EUR/CARC, SCA (GALLAGHER, SUMAR)
DOE FOR FREDRIKSEN, HEGBORG, EKIMOFF
DOC FOR 4231/IEP/EUR/JBROUGHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018
TAGS: EPET ENRG ECON PREL ETTC IR RS
SUBJECT: MFA COOL TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT GAZPROM INVESTMENT
IN IRAN
REF: A. STATE 29859
B. MOSCOW 5218
Classified By: CDA Daniel A. Russell for Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001001
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GALLOGLY AND WRIGHT
EUR/CARC, SCA (GALLAGHER, SUMAR)
DOE FOR FREDRIKSEN, HEGBORG, EKIMOFF
DOC FOR 4231/IEP/EUR/JBROUGHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018
TAGS: EPET ENRG ECON PREL ETTC IR RS
SUBJECT: MFA COOL TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT GAZPROM INVESTMENT
IN IRAN
REF: A. STATE 29859
B. MOSCOW 5218
Classified By: CDA Daniel A. Russell for Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (SBU) On April 10, per ref A, we raised USG concerns about
potential Gazprom investment in Iran's petroleum sector to
MFA Iran Desk Director Maxim Baranov. We noted that such
investment runs counter to the international effort to bring
Iran into compliance with UNSC resolutions and that it could
trigger sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act. We inquired
about the status of Gazprom's plans in Iran and asked that
the GOR urge Gazprom to reconsider these plans.
2. (C) Baranov explained that promoting two-way trade and
investment between Iran and Russia is a specific goal of the
Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation chaired by Rosatom
Director Sergey Kiriyenko and Iranian Foreign Minister
Mottaki (ref B). Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller's February trip
to Iran was to follow up on Mottaki's December 2007 visit to
Moscow as part of the Joint Commission. Miller met with the
Iranian Oil Minister, the head of the Iranian National Gas
Company, and other industry and government leaders, but
"nothing concrete" resulted from the meetings. According to
Baranov, both sides are very interested in continuing to
pursue potential projects, including in gas and oil field
development, gas infrastructure, and LNG development.
However, he added, "getting a contract with Iran is not
easy." Baranov said Gazprom is already producing gas from
Iran's South Pars field with partners Petronas and Total.
3. (C) In addition to an interest in "promoting good
relations with all countries," as Baranov put it, Russia does
not want to be left behind in Iran. Baranov said Chinese and
Indian competition is especially strong. He said Iran is
also pursuing deals with the Swiss, among others.
RUSSELL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GALLOGLY AND WRIGHT
EUR/CARC, SCA (GALLAGHER, SUMAR)
DOE FOR FREDRIKSEN, HEGBORG, EKIMOFF
DOC FOR 4231/IEP/EUR/JBROUGHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018
TAGS: EPET ENRG ECON PREL ETTC IR RS
SUBJECT: MFA COOL TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT GAZPROM INVESTMENT
IN IRAN
REF: A. STATE 29859
B. MOSCOW 5218
Classified By: CDA Daniel A. Russell for Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (SBU) On April 10, per ref A, we raised USG concerns about
potential Gazprom investment in Iran's petroleum sector to
MFA Iran Desk Director Maxim Baranov. We noted that such
investment runs counter to the international effort to bring
Iran into compliance with UNSC resolutions and that it could
trigger sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act. We inquired
about the status of Gazprom's plans in Iran and asked that
the GOR urge Gazprom to reconsider these plans.
2. (C) Baranov explained that promoting two-way trade and
investment between Iran and Russia is a specific goal of the
Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation chaired by Rosatom
Director Sergey Kiriyenko and Iranian Foreign Minister
Mottaki (ref B). Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller's February trip
to Iran was to follow up on Mottaki's December 2007 visit to
Moscow as part of the Joint Commission. Miller met with the
Iranian Oil Minister, the head of the Iranian National Gas
Company, and other industry and government leaders, but
"nothing concrete" resulted from the meetings. According to
Baranov, both sides are very interested in continuing to
pursue potential projects, including in gas and oil field
development, gas infrastructure, and LNG development.
However, he added, "getting a contract with Iran is not
easy." Baranov said Gazprom is already producing gas from
Iran's South Pars field with partners Petronas and Total.
3. (C) In addition to an interest in "promoting good
relations with all countries," as Baranov put it, Russia does
not want to be left behind in Iran. Baranov said Chinese and
Indian competition is especially strong. He said Iran is
also pursuing deals with the Swiss, among others.
RUSSELL