Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE115454
2008-10-29 20:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION OF NEW SUPPLIES OF

Tags:  EMIN ENRG ETTC IR MNUC PARM TRGY 
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VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #5454 3032030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 292021Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA IMMEDIATE 1189
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT IMMEDIATE 1064
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0414
UNCLAS STATE 115454 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ENRG ETTC IR MNUC PARM TRGY
SUBJECT: PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION OF NEW SUPPLIES OF
URANIUM

REF: A. STATE 077744

B. ASTANA 001649 07 STATE 119630 07

C. LONDON 2848 ISN A/S ROOD-AUSTRALIAN AMB. RITCHIE
DISCUSSION

D. 7 AUGUST 2007

E. 07 WINDHOEK 458

F. 07 STATE 093518

UNCLAS STATE 115454

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ENRG ETTC IR MNUC PARM TRGY
SUBJECT: PREVENTING IRAN'S ACQUISITION OF NEW SUPPLIES OF
URANIUM

REF: A. STATE 077744

B. ASTANA 001649 07 STATE 119630 07

C. LONDON 2848 ISN A/S ROOD-AUSTRALIAN AMB. RITCHIE
DISCUSSION

D. 7 AUGUST 2007

E. 07 WINDHOEK 458

F. 07 STATE 093518


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4.


2. (SBU) OBJECTIVES FOR ASTANA AND TASHKENT:

-- In coordination UK counterparts in country, Embassies
Astana and Tashkent should convey to appropriate host
government officials continuing U.S. concerns regarding
possible Iranian attempts to procure new stocks of uranium.

--------------
BACKGROUND:
--------------


3. (SBU) Following our initial effort to encourage the
world,s most significant uranium producers against supplying
to Iran, the United States is also encouraging partners to
deliver similar demarches to reinforce the U.S. effort.
(Note: For further background on the uranium issue, see refs
A and B.) As a result of these discussions, the United
Kingdom has agreed to approach Astana and Tashkent to remind
those governments of the risks involved in trade with Iran,
particularly in the area of uranium. The UK has asked the US
to participate in the UK demarche. The UK also intends to ask
Canada to participate, particularly in Kazakhstan where
Canada reportedly is developing significant relationships
with the Kazakh nuclear industry.

--------------
ACTION REQUEST FOR ASTANA AND TASHKENT:
--------------


4. (SBU) Posts are requested to closely coordinate with
their UK counterparts in capitals and offer to participate in
a joint approach as described in para 3. Posts are requested
to assist in the delivery of a joint demarche with the UK and
possibly Canada, as appropriate, recalling previous
discussions described in REFTEL. The demarche should
underscore the likelihood that Iran will seek to procure
uranium from sources in the near term. Posts should stress
with host governments their international legal obligation to
prevent the transfer or sale of uranium to Iran. Posts
should note that Iran often utilizes front companies and
illicit mechanisms for its nuclear procurement, which
highlights the need for states and their domestic firms to
exercise extraordinary caution in engaging with entities.
Posts should recommend that host governments approach any
domestic firms involved in uranium production or trade to
warn them of the risks of supplying to Iran. Posts should
request that, if Iran contacts host government firms/entities
in search of uranium, those requests should be denied and
reported to the UNSC Iran Sanctions Committee so there is
greater visibility on Iran,s practices. Posts are requested
to monitor the domestic nuclear industry and to report any
substantial uranium deals, particularly those that are with
unestablished end users. Finally, posts should make clear
that if Iran claims it is seeking uranium in order to support
a legitimate civil nuclear energy program, the updated P5 1
incentives package provides for nuclear cooperation including
a guaranteed nuclear fuel supply.


5. (U) Posts are requested to report any substantive
responses by 7 November 2008. Richard Nephew (ISN/RA,
202-647-7680, NephewRM@state.sgov.gov) and Risa Mongiello
(ISN/RA, 202-736-4730, MongiellRN@state.gov) are the
Department's POC for this activity.
RICE