NETHERLANDS: DUTCH CONCERN ON IRAN STEALTH

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001013 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018 TAGS: PARM MOPS PREL NATO MNUC TRGY IR NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: DUTCH CONCERN ON IRAN STEALTH REF: STATE 112229 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Dutch are concerned that Iran's slick use of media and events may have ensnared the incoming European Union (EU) Presidency and numbed other EU members to Iran's nuclear program. Head of the Nuclear Affairs and Non-Proliferation Division, Henk cor Van der Kwast, told PolMilOff that the attendance of a representative of the Czech Republic at the Iranian First International Conference on Nuclear Power Plants, Environmental and Sustainable Development underscores the naivete with which some nations in the EU interact with Iran. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Van der Kwast is concerned that although many of the eastern European countries bring a strong stance to the EU on relations with Russia they do not have the same sense of commitment to dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue. He used the Fars News Agency pictures of the Bulgarian and Czech representatives to emphasize his point. He is "very worried" that while holding the EU Presidency the Czechs will not resist Iranian efforts to "normalize" interactions. ¶3. (C) There is a need for "strategic discussions" within the EU, according to Van der Kwast, and the "major players" need to be involved. He believes that "active steps" are urgently required to form a comprehensive approach that synergizes UN, IAEA, and EU capabilities. Van der Kwast stated several times that he believes the U.S. should "talk to" the Czechs to emphasize the seriousness of the nuclear situation with Iran. He strongly believes that there is a need to "build pressure now." ¶4. (C) Comment: The Dutch have been consistent partners in non-proliferation activities within all fora and have a keen awareness of the negotiations with Iran. They bring an experienced view on Iranian efforts to "confuse" the international community and provide these sincere observations in an effort to highlight the urgency of the current situation. End Comment. CULBERTSON