LATVIA UNAWARE OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR CONFERENCE;

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000652 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018 TAGS: PREL MNUC TRGY IR LG SUBJECT: LATVIA UNAWARE OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR CONFERENCE; LATVIAN AND IRANIAN FORMINS MEET REF: SECSTATE 112229 Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson Jr. for reason 1.4(b) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Judite Dobele, the MFA's head of Middle East and Africa Division. Dobele stated that they were not aware of the Iranian Nuclear Conference in November but know that Iran has been active in their region on energy issues. She stated that Iran had been trying to attract as many potential contracting partners as possible, and that Latvia's neighbor (note: not specifically stating "Russia") had been "reacting". Dobele said that the GOL's position on Iran has not changed, and that they still support the sanctions and UN resolutions. ¶2. (C) Dobele stated that the GOL's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins had met with Iran's Foreign Minister during the UNGA. Iran initially extended the meeting offer to the GOL and they accepted, on the Latvian belief that diplomatic dialogue with Iran should be open. Riekstins raised three issues. The first was human rights and the importance of Iran adhereing to their previous commitments to the EU. The second was concerning Iran's nuclear program. Riekstins urged Iran to cooperate with the IAEA and to respond to international concerns surrounding the potential military nature of their nuclear program. The third issue was Iran's policy with its neighbors. Riekstins stressed the importance of building civil society in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the enormous detriment that the attempted destabilization of these countries would cause. LARSON