LIBYA: WE WILL NOT SELL URANIUM YELLOWCAKE TO IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000966 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG; ISN/RA FOR HEIDLBERG; NSC FOR YERGER E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY ENRG EMIN ETTC PREL PGOV IR LY SUBJECT: LIBYA: WE WILL NOT SELL URANIUM YELLOWCAKE TO IRAN REF: STATE 125972 CLASSIFIED BY: John T. Godfrey, Charge d'Affaires. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) The CDA met with Tajuri el-Sheradi Tajuri, Director of UN Affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation (MFA-equivalent),on December 18 to convey reftel demarche (the non-paper had been conveyed under cover of a diplomatic note on December 4). On Libya's commitment to sell its uranium yellowcake, Tajuri indicated that his understanding was that Libya intended to do so; however, he directed us to Dr. Ali Gashut, head of Libya's recently formed national nuclear authority, for further information on contacts with prospective buyers and any negotiations. Tajuri offered to help facilitate a meeting with Gashut; Post will follow up and report. ¶2. (C) On concerns about possible future attempts by Iran to procure new uranium stocks, including perhaps from Libya, Tajuri emphatically said there was "absolutely no possibility" that Libya would sell its stockpile of natural uranium yellowcake ore to Iran. Even if Iran asked to do so - and Tajuri made it clear that he was not aware of anything suggesting that it had - Libya "has the utmost respect for its obligations under UNSCR's 1737 and 1803". Stressing Libya's decision in 2003-2004 to abandon its WMD programs and its desire to preserve its hard-earned credibility with the IAEA and international community, Tajuri closely questioned us about whether we had specific information suggesting Iran may have approached Libya about purchasing yellowcake and reiterated that Libya would not entertain such a request. GODFREY