TUNISIAN RESPONSE TO SYRIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000416 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS AND HOPKINS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV KNNP DPRK SY IAEA PARM PREL TS SUBJECT: TUNISIAN RESPONSE TO SYRIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM REF: STATE 43817 Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) This cable contains and action request: Please see para 3. ¶2. (C) During an April 25 meeting with the Ambassador on other topics, MFA Director General for the Americas and Asia Elyas Kasri asked about the recent news about Syria's covert nuclear program. Referring to reftel talking points and the White House press release, the Ambassador stressed that we have good evidence Syria did not intend to use this reactor for peaceful purposes. Kasri asked why the USG had waited so long to release information on Syria's nuclear program. The Ambassador said that the USG delayed sharing this information because our first concern was to prevent conflict. Kasri asked the Ambassador for more details about this "conflict," including specific parties involved. He also asked if the topic was discussed during the April meetings between the United States and North Korea. ¶3. (SBU) Post requests the Department share any additional information that can be used to respond to Kasri's inquiries. Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm GODEC