Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1237
2008-08-12 13:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #1237 2251330 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121330Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8962 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 0242 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSCENTAF SHAW AFB SC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001237
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR DAS MHAYWARD AND ASTUKALIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2028
TAGS: ENERG IAEA KNNP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH
IAEA ON NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS
REF: JEDDAH 00268
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001237
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR DAS MHAYWARD AND ASTUKALIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2028
TAGS: ENERG IAEA KNNP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH
IAEA ON NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS
REF: JEDDAH 00268
1. (C) On August 11, 2008, The Saudi Council of Ministers
approved the Government of Saudi Arabia's (SAG) agreement
with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enforce
the Nuclear Safeguards Agreement under the frame work of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treat (NPT),as reported in local
media. As discussed during the June 23 meeting between
Ambassador Fraker and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Sa'ud
al-Faysal in Jeddah, the SAG sought the Council's approval to
bring into force the original Nuclear Safeguards Agreement
Saudi Arabia signed in 2005. The approval was required for
the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Secretary Rice and
Sa'ud al-Faysal signed on May 16, 2008 to enter into force.
This Council action also allows SAG to accept the May 2008
invitation of the Steering Group of the Global Nuclear Energy
Partnership (GNEP) to join that organization.
2. (C) Post is planning meetings with officials at the King
Abulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in the next
few days to determine when the SAG will inform the IAEA
officially about this decision. This marks the latest
milestone in the SAG's adherence to international norms on
nuclear energy matters that will open the path to greater
U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation. The speed with which the SAG
took steps to approve their original Safeguards Agreement
demonstrates the seriousness of the Saudi commitment to
cooperation with USG on peaceful nuclear energy. It also
serves as an effective counter argument to the criticism SAG
received when it sought a Small Quantities Protocol with the
IAEA in 2005, which some saw as a loophole for pursuing a
secret nuclear research program. SAG will need to revise
this Protocol as an additional step to full implementation of
the Safeguards Agreement.
GFOELLER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR DAS MHAYWARD AND ASTUKALIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2028
TAGS: ENERG IAEA KNNP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH
IAEA ON NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS
REF: JEDDAH 00268
1. (C) On August 11, 2008, The Saudi Council of Ministers
approved the Government of Saudi Arabia's (SAG) agreement
with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enforce
the Nuclear Safeguards Agreement under the frame work of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treat (NPT),as reported in local
media. As discussed during the June 23 meeting between
Ambassador Fraker and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Sa'ud
al-Faysal in Jeddah, the SAG sought the Council's approval to
bring into force the original Nuclear Safeguards Agreement
Saudi Arabia signed in 2005. The approval was required for
the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Secretary Rice and
Sa'ud al-Faysal signed on May 16, 2008 to enter into force.
This Council action also allows SAG to accept the May 2008
invitation of the Steering Group of the Global Nuclear Energy
Partnership (GNEP) to join that organization.
2. (C) Post is planning meetings with officials at the King
Abulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in the next
few days to determine when the SAG will inform the IAEA
officially about this decision. This marks the latest
milestone in the SAG's adherence to international norms on
nuclear energy matters that will open the path to greater
U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation. The speed with which the SAG
took steps to approve their original Safeguards Agreement
demonstrates the seriousness of the Saudi commitment to
cooperation with USG on peaceful nuclear energy. It also
serves as an effective counter argument to the criticism SAG
received when it sought a Small Quantities Protocol with the
IAEA in 2005, which some saw as a loophole for pursuing a
secret nuclear research program. SAG will need to revise
this Protocol as an additional step to full implementation of
the Safeguards Agreement.
GFOELLER