IAEA/BOG: SEEKING A LEADERHIP ROLE, UAE TO

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