Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08UNVIEVIENNA196
2008-04-04 15:29:00
SECRET
UNVIE
Cable title:  

IAEA/BOG: SEEKING A LEADERHIP ROLE, UAE TO

Tags:  AORC IAEA KNPP AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0196 0951529
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 041529Z APR 08
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7766
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0014
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0055
S E C R E T UNVIE VIENNA 000196 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA, IO/T, NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2018
TAGS: AORC IAEA KNPP AE
SUBJECT: IAEA/BOG: SEEKING A LEADERHIP ROLE, UAE TO
CONSIDER BOARD RUN

REF: A) SECSTATE 34113 B) ABU DHABI 424

Classified By: Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte for
reasons 1.4 b and d

S E C R E T UNVIE VIENNA 000196

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA, IO/T, NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2018
TAGS: AORC IAEA KNPP AE
SUBJECT: IAEA/BOG: SEEKING A LEADERHIP ROLE, UAE TO
CONSIDER BOARD RUN

REF: A) SECSTATE 34113 B) ABU DHABI 424

Classified By: Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte for
reasons 1.4 b and d


1. (S) Ambassador Schulte shared ref a points on April 4 with
UAE Ambassador Al Dosari encouraging the UAE to consider
running for the MESA seat on the 2008-2009 Board of
Governors. Al Dosari expressed interest in doing so and
indicated he would raise the issue with capital. The UAE was
last on the Board in 1996-1997, according to UAE Msnoff
(Note: Syria was on the Board in 2006-2007. End note.) DCM
cautioned that the U.S. would be discreet in its support for
a UAE decision to run for the Board and would not insinuate
itself in regional group deliberations. Al Dosari did not
mention Syria's candidacy for the MESA Board seat.


2. (S) Ambassador Schulte commended the UAE White Paper on
nuclear energy as the "anti-Iran" model for states seeking
nuclear power. He welcomed the UAE's commitment to forgo
enrichment and support multilateral assurances of fuel
supply. Al Dosari underlined UAE cooperation with the IAEA,
noting that the UAE "wanted to be on the safe side" in light
of Iran's bad example. The UAE also supported a regional
approach to nuclear power in the GCC and expected Oman to
soon follow its lead, as Bahrain had already done. He
regretted that Bahrain could not be more of an advocate in
Vienna, since it does not have a Mission here. The UAE
intends to brief Vienna Missions on its nuclear power
development, after it completes a few more studies.


3. (S) Given its leadership role, Ambassador Schulte saw the
UAE as a "natural fit" for the Board of Governors. In
particular, he hoped to work with the UAE on Reliable Access
to Nuclear Fuel (RANF) issues before the Board to help
reassure other potential recipient states nervous about their
NPT rights. Ambassador Schulte noted contributions by the
NTI, U.S. and Norway to fund an IAEA fuel bank and suggested
that a UAE contribution could further showcase its leadership
role on RANF. Ambassador Schulte also thanked the UAE for a
recent USD 15 million contribution to UN anti-trafficking
efforts. Finally, Ambassador Schulte noted the UAE's efforts
to tighten export controls and told Al Dosari the U.S. had
suggested to the Wassenaar Arrangement that the Emirates
could be a potential outreach candidate.


4. (S) Comment: A seasoned 12-year veteran of Vienna, Al
Dosari intends to stay on, making the prospect of a UAE Board
candidacy even more attractive. Al Dosari appeared flattered
by our approach, and we expect he will present a good case to
Abu Dhabi for seeking a Board seat. Mission also recommends
further encouragement in capital for a voluntary contribution
to the IAEA fuel bank proposal. UNVIE disagrees with the
IAEA's tactic of not approaching UAE until after Japan
contributes, but if the UAE decides to contribute, it should
coordinate with DG ElBaradei regarding timing. Should the
UAE decide not to run for the Board, Mission will advise on
possible (but not as strong) alternatives. Saudi Arabia will
remain on the Board through next year. Kuwait is one
possibility, but it already served as Board Chair a few years
ago. Bahrain lacks a Mission in Vienna while Oman will not
formally become an IAEA member until the General Conference
in October.

SCHULTE