UNMOVIC/UNSCR 1762: MOVING FORWARD

UNCLAS STATE 095569 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IAEA IZ SUBJECT: UNMOVIC/UNSCR 1762: MOVING FORWARD REF: A. 07 STATE 37753 ¶B. DANIEL-RIES EMAILS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In response to Iraqi Minister for Science and Technology Raad Fahmy's request to discuss the path to eventual normalization regarding Iraq's civil nuclear industry, including the ultimate lifting of relevant UNSCR obligations, this cable outlines the steps necessary for Iraq to undertake in order to meet the highest standards of international nonproliferation norms. The United States is committed to actively assisting Iraq in meeting these objectives, and thereby establish international confidence in its civil nuclear plans. Further clarifying Iraq's interest in civil nuclear applications will help frame discussion and facilitate consideration of potential future cooperation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: While UNSCR 1762 terminated UNMOVIC and IAEA mandates under relevant resolutions, it did not relieve Iraq of its disarmament obligations under previous UNSCRs, including restrictions over Iraq's engagement in nuclear activities. UNSCR 1762 also invited Iraq to report to the Security Council, within one year from the date of its adoption on June 29, 2007, on the progress it has made on nonproliferation. Iraq was informed (ref A) that, while the U.S. understands Iraq has made progress on non-proliferation matters through its commitments to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its IAEA Safeguards Agreement, it is the USG view that Iraq must continue to take further steps to meet the highest standards of international nonproliferation norms, and participate in and fully support the international nonproliferation regime. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Baghdad is requested to convey to Minister Fahmy the list of actions in paragraph four needed to establish confidence in Iraq's support of the highest standards of international nonproliferation norms. The United States supports Iraq's desire to have all Chapter VII resolutions pertaining to it, including UNSCRs addressing arms control and nonproliferation requirements, lifted, but UNSC action will require members' confidence that the restrictions are no longer necessary. Embassy Baghdad may wish to suggest Iraq produce public reports, where appropriate, outlining efforts concerning the following items to help the international community recognize the progress Iraq has made toward complying with international nonproliferation norms. ¶4. (SBU) The United States is committed to actively assisting Iraq in meeting the following objectives, and thereby establishing international confidence in Iraq's civil nuclear plans. The Department stands ready to discuss the following in greater detail should Iraq require assistance in achieving these aims: -- Sign and bring into force an Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement; -- Develop export controls and practices in line with internationally recognized regimes such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR),Australia Group, Nuclear Suppliers Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement; -- Strictly comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, its IAEA Safeguards agreement, the Biological Weapons Convention (including national implementing legislation),and the 1925 Geneva Protocol on Use in War of Poisonous Gases or Bacteriological Methods of Warfare; -- Adhere to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management; -- Comply with the Code of Conduct for Safety and Security for Radioactive Sources; -- Adhere to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage; -- Subscribe to the International Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation; -- Become a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention; -- Become a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism; -- Commit, if Iraq chooses in the future to pursue civilian nuclear power, to rely on existing international markets for nuclear fuel services as an alternative to the pursuit of enrichment and reprocessing; -- Report to the Security Council on nonproliferation progress as invited in UNSCR 1762. ¶5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST CONT: Department also requests Embassy inquire into the specific plans of the Ministry of Science and Technology with respect to future civil nuclear activities, as this will help guide U.S. consideration of future cooperation, including evaluation of relevant U.S. legal restrictions. Post may note that current programs, such as the Nuclear Facility Dismantlement and Disposal Project, provide an opportunity for Iraq to develop important legal regimes and institutional frameworks that may be built on for future cooperation. RICE