FRANCE ON SYRIA'S CLANDESTINE NUCLEAR PROGRAM

UNCLAS PARIS 000824 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM IAEA DPRK FR SY SUBJECT: FRANCE ON SYRIA'S CLANDESTINE NUCLEAR PROGRAM REF: STATE 43817 ¶1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel points April 24 per an exchange of cables reported separately. ¶2. (U) The French MFA reported the following exchange at its April 25 press briefing between reporters and its spokesperson, Pascale Andreani (the English translation comes from the French MFA's website): Begin text: Andreani: We were in contact yesterday with the Americans at their initiative, and we exchanged analyses and intelligence. It is essential for Syria to give a full accounting of its past and present nuclear activities in accordance with its international obligations, particularly with respect to the IAEA. The secret construction of a nuclear reactor would be a serious violation of Syria's non-proliferation obligations. We also remain very concerned about North Korea's proliferation activities. UN Security Council resolution 1718 prohibits any export of sensitive goods from North Korea. We hope that North Korea, as it pledged at the Six-party discussions, makes a complete and verifiable declaration of all its nuclear programs, including its external proliferation activities. Q: About Syria's nuclear activities. You have to prove that these are military nuclear activities because civilian activities are permitted. A: That's what we're talking about. We have doubts with respect to some of Syria's activities, and we're asking Syria to act in accordance with its international obligations, particularly with respect to the IAEA. End text. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON