AUSTRIA ON AMENDING NSG GUIDELINES FOR ENR TRANSFER

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001808

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2023
TAGS: ENRG ETTC KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ON AMENDING NSG GUIDELINES FOR ENR TRANSFER

REF: (A) STATE 126581 (B) VIENNA 1664

Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Austrian MFA Non-Proliferation Director Alexander
Marschik and IAEA Unit Head Andreas Launer reported Dec. 10
that, though the MFA supports the unbracketed text of the
proposed revised text for NSG Guidelines paras 6 and 7, the
Austrian Economics Ministry and, especially, the Environment
Ministry are strongly opposed. (Note: The Economics Ministry
has the formal lead on this issue, as an energy matter.)
Marschik reported that there will be a final Austrian
inter-agency meeting on Friday morning, Dec. 12, to hammer
out the Austrian position. He and Launer were confident that
Austria at the end of the day would support the unbracketed
text, which they acknowledged as an important package that
advanced non-proliferation goals. They implied, however,
that if there is substantial support for extending the
silence procedure on Dec. 12, Austria would probably join
that group.


2. (C) Marschik and Launder described Austrian concerns as
based on the possible weakening of the IAEA's Additional
Protocol (AP) and its universalization because of the
acceptance in paragraph 6ii of other arrangements that are
not equivalent to the safeguards provided by the AP. Launer
noted that he had specifically asked the IAEA for its
assessment of the Argentine-Brazilian arrangement and was
told it was not equivalent to the AP. Launer also reported
that the European Commission has made a similar statement.


3. (C) Marschik and Launer reported that Austria would have
to make an explanatory statement that was critical of the
acceptance of arrangements other than the AP when it does
agree to the revision.
GIRARD-DICARLO