IRANIAN EX-PRESIDENT KHATAMI DISCUSSES NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001614

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM IAEA ENRG MNUC PARM IR AU
SUBJECT: IRANIAN EX-PRESIDENT KHATAMI DISCUSSES NUCLEAR
PROGRAM, IRANIAN ELECTIONS WITH GOA LEADERS

Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Former Iranian President Khatami discussed
Iran's nuclear program, the upcoming Iranian elections, and
human rights in Iran with GOA leaders during an October 25-27
visit to Vienna. Khatami told President Fischer that Iran
has the right to develop nuclear technology for civilian
purposes, and said he hoped the next U.S. administration
would engage Iran in direct negotiations. He declined to say
whether he would run again for president in the upcoming
elections, though GOA contacts say they believe he will not.
FM Plassnik discussed discrimination against the Kurdish and
Baha'i minorities in Iran and plans for a conference on women
and youth in the Middle East with Khatami, who was in Vienna
to attend an academic symposium on "Law and the Dialogue of
Cultures." End Summary.
Supports Official Line on Nuclear Issue
--------------


2. (C) Christoph Meran, Deputy MFA Middle East Director, told
Polchief on October 30 that President Fischer raised the
issue of Iran's nuclear program with Khatami, emphasizing
that Austria and the EU want Iran to comply with UNSC
resolutions. Meran said Khatami repeated the same position
that he had held as Iranian President -- that Iran has the
right to develop nuclear technology for civilian purposes.
Khatami added that Western mistrust of Iran is matched by
Iranian mistrust of the U.S. and EU. He said he hoped that
the next U.S. administration would engage in a dialogue with
Iran, to include direct diplomatic negotiations. He averred
that the EU should "have its own policy" in regard to Iran;
Meran said Khatami did not elaborate on this point, but his
GOA interlocutors interpreted his comment as a call for the
EU to place more emphasis on dialogue, and less on pressure,
than the U.S. Khatami argued that the U.S. and EU needed to
accept that Iran is an important country with a strong role
to play in its region.


3. (C) Meran said Khatami told GOA officials before his
arrival that he saw no reason to involve the Iranian Embassy,
as this was not an official visit. Nevertheless, Iranian
Ambassador Sheibany learned of the event and convinced the
MFA to include him in the meetings. During the discussion of
nuclear issues, Sheibany asserted the official Teheran
position that Iran had "done all it could" to comply with its
international obligations. Khatami seemed uncomfortable when
Sheibany spoke, Meran said.

Evasive On Presidential Run
--------------


4. (C) Khatami was evasive when Fischer asked him whether he
would run again for president. Though Khatami gave no
indication of his plans, Meran said GOA officials have the
sense that he will probably not run. This is largely based
on reporting from the Austrian Embassy in Teheran, which
suggests that Khatami wants to maintain a low profile to
avoid clashing with Iranian authorities, Meran said.

FM Discusses Human Rights
--------------


5. (U) FM Plassnik discussed human rights issues with
Khatami. She suggested that a planned initiative on women
and youth in the Middle East could be held either in Vienna
or at Khatami's Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilizations
in Geneva. Khatami expressed interest in the initiative, but
did not offer to host the event, Meran said. Plassnik also
discussed the issue of discrimination against the Kurdish and
Baha'i minorities in Iran. Meran said the Iranian Ambassador
will be meeting shortly with the MFA Human Rights Department,
in an appointment scheduled well before Khatami's visit.
GIRARD-DICARLO