GOC RESPONSE TO LATE FEBRUARY IAEA REPORTS ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000172

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR ISN/RA (NEPHEW)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IR IAEA
SUBJECT: GOC RESPONSE TO LATE FEBRUARY IAEA REPORTS ON IRAN

REF: A. A. STATE 019694


B. B. STATE 19200

Classified By: A/DCM Rick Holtzapple, Reasons 1.4 (B/D)


1. Embassy PolOff delivered points outlined in reftels to
Mario Horvatic, GOC's representative on the International
Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors. Horvatic
expected a more positive response from the EU to the reports
from Director General ElBaradei and Deputy Director General
for Safeguards Heinonen. Though the EU report was still
being coordinated, Horvatic noted some unnamed members had
gone as far as to argue these reports represent a "turning
point" for Iran. He expected the final report to note the
encouraging, positive steps Iran has taken toward
transparency, while underlining the fact all outstanding
issues regarding their weapons program must be resolved. The
GOC will closely coordinate their position with that of the
U.S. and the EU. Horvatic noted he had delivered the same
message to the Iranian ambassador to Croatia. The ambassador
had called on Horvatic to discuss the recent IAEA reports.
While he offered congratulations on the steps Iran has
already taken, Horvatic said he also expressed the need for
Iran to resolve all outstanding international obligations and
cooperate fully with the IAEA.
Bradtke