AUSTRIAN POSITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SYRIA'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001846 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA (DANIEL AND HEIDLBERG) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA SY TRGY AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN POSITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SYRIA'S TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT REF: STATE 127578 Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Polchief discussed reftel points December 15 with Andreas Launer, MFA Unit Chief for IAEA, CTBTO Prep Com, and NPT. Luaner said the GOA shares the USG's concerns regarding possible safeguards violations by Syria, and would like to see these concerns addressed before Syria benefits from any technical cooperation on a new nuclear power plant. He noted that the EU had issued a statement on this issue consistent with the U.S. position, though in more cautious language. ¶2. (C) Launer said the GOA takes seriously the issue of possible Syrian violations regarding a clandestine nuclear reactor. He noted that the IAEA report on the matter states that the agency found indications of violations, though no conclusive evidence. GIRARD-DICARLO