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