UN/IRAN SANCTIONS: NORWAY BRIEFING TO THE 1737

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000792 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM IR UNSC MNUC ETTC KNNP SUBJECT: UN/IRAN SANCTIONS: NORWAY BRIEFING TO THE 1737 COMMITTEE REF: A. STATE 084938 ¶B. OSLO 483 ¶1. (SBU) On September 2, USUN discussed with the Norwegian UN mission a possible briefing to the 1737 (Iran) Sanctions Committee about Norway's planned nuclear safety project at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (ref A). USUN explained to Jonas Jolle, Counselor for Political Affairs, that a Norwegian briefing to the Committee would set a positive example of transparency and encourage other states to inform the Committee of all activities relevant to the implementation of UNSCRs 1737, 1747 and 1803. ¶2. (SBU) Noting that he had been informed of Embassy Oslo's recent outreach to the MFA on this matter (ref B),Jolle asserted that Norway was "extremely interested" in being transparent and agreed in principle with idea of a briefing. He said he was concerned, however, that the briefing be conducted in a proper format. USUN noted that there is some leeway on the question of format, as there is no set precedent for this kind of briefing to the 1737 Committee. ¶3. (SBU) USUN and the Norwegian mission discussed the following parameters for such a briefing: -- Held first or second week in early October (at the same meeting at which the United States intends to provide a briefing on dual-use goods); -- A small team from Oslo would travel to New York to provide the briefing and be available to answer questions from Committee members; -- The Oslo experts would describe to the Committee the project and explain in detail the measures Norway will undertake to ensure all training activities comply with UNSCRs 1737, 1747 and 1803; -- A technical handout would be distributed to the Committee for members to forward to capitals for further review; -- USUN would encourage other Committee members to laud Norway's efforts and encourage other states to follow Oslo's good example; -- Norway would leave open the possibility of future briefings to Committee as the project moves forward. ¶4. (SBU) The Norwegian mission plans to take this concept back to Oslo for final approval. USUN will provide any technical assistance necessary to help the mission formally request the meeting and follow Committee procedures. Khalilzad