SYRIA: GUIDANCE FOR NOVEMBER IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS

S E C R E T STATE 118652 E.O. 12958: DECL: (11/05/2033) TAGS: KNNP PREL PARM SY IAEA SUBJECT: SYRIA: GUIDANCE FOR NOVEMBER IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING REF: UNVIE 580 CLASSIFIED BY: IO PDAS JAMES WARLICK, REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S) At a November 3 Sub PCC meeting, the interagency agreed that the United States should seek to obtain a resolution on Syria at the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting (November 27-28). While broad engagement with Board members should occur only after the expected report from the Director General detailing the status of the investigation, Mission should begin coordinating with like-minded states as soon as possible to 1) ensure the IAEA Secretariat submits a written report before the November Board; and 2) work with like- minded members to solicit support for a resolution on Syria at the Board. As noted in reftel, Ambassador Schulte's November 7 pre-Board consultations with like- minded provides the perfect opportunity to begin building support for a Board resolution on Syria. END SUMMARY. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (S) Mission is requested to begin working with like- minded missions, and as appropriate, IAEA officials and other missions, to achieve the following objectives: - Ensure that the status of the IAEA investigation, including the degree to which Syria has cooperated, is highlighted in a written report and technical briefing presented by the IAEA to Board members before the November Board meeting. - Begin garnering support for a Board resolution on Syria. The resolution would cite the status of the IAEA investigation to date, call on Syria to cooperate fully with the IAEA, call on the IAEA to report to the Board on the status of the investigation before the next meeting, and note that the Board will remain seized of the issue. As the resolution is not likely to be well received by Board members if introduced by the United States, Mission should also work to identify like-minded states willing to introduce a resolution. - Seek Israeli views on pursing a resolution on Syria in light of the possibility that NAM states may introduce an amendment condemning the Israeli airstrike on the Al- Kibar reactor, and a sense of Israeli redlines in that regard. - Consult on how to address the Syrian request for a technical cooperation project on a technical and economic feasibility study and site selection for a nuclear power plant. Mission should reiterate our concern with the proposal and coordinate with like- minded states on the best way to hinder implementation of the project if approved. ¶3. (S) Washington will provide further guidance after the expected DG report on Syria before the November Board meeting. -------------- POCS AND REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶4. (U) Mission is requested to keep Washington apprised of any developments on this issue. Jody Daniel (202-647-9486), Richard Nephew (202-647-7680) and Heather Von Behren (202-647- 2753) are the POCs for this activity. RICE NNNN End Cable Text