RUSSIA AGREES WITH U.S. APPROACH TO INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000242 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KNNP KTIA PARM PREL IN RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA AGREES WITH U.S. APPROACH TO INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE REF: STATE 007192 Sensitive But Unclassified, Protect Accordingly ¶1. (SBU) On January 24, we delivered reftel points regarding the status of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative to Russia's MFA Directorate of Disarmament and Security Affairs (DVBR). In a January 29 meeting, DVBR Division Chief Aleksey Karpov told us that he understood the U.S. position and agreed that following a step-by-step approach to the dissemination of the draft for an NSG waiver was the best approach. He noted Russian concerns regarding the NSG waiver decision for India: India's insistence on asking for "special treatment" with respect to the IAEA safeguards agreement and the continued lack of clarity in China's position. ¶2. (SBU) Karpov stated that solid support may be lacking from some NSG members because of India's stance regarding the IAEA safeguards agreement. He also speculated that many of the smaller NSG countries would avoid taking a formal position, but would not block consensus. BURNS