GERMANY ANXIOUS FOR RESULTS AT NEXT WEEK'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000228 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR RICHARD NEWPHEW AND MATT GOLDSTEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019 TAGS: IAEA KNNP MNUC PARM IR GM SYR TRGY SUBJECT: GERMANY ANXIOUS FOR RESULTS AT NEXT WEEK'S IAEA/BOG MEETING REF: STATE 16285 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered ref points to Martin Langer, head of the MFA's IAEA Unit in the Nuclear Arms Control (REF 240) Division on February 24. Langer noted that Germany shares many of our views and concerns about Iran's and Syria's refusal to work with the IAEA and the nature of those contries' clandestine nuclear activities. The next obvious place for unified action would be at next week's IAEA Board of Governor's (BOG) meeting, but, he lamented, that "doesn't leave us much time." ¶2. (C) Langer noted that many EU3 3 (P5 1) matters were discussed in Wiesbaden February 4 when the Political Directors met, but mentioned that Russia and China refused there to agree on new language. Germany is very interested in an IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) resolution or, barring that, a strong EU3 3 statement "of substance." However, Langer has heard from German Ambassador to the IAEA Ruediger Luedeking that Russia and China continue to stall attempts at further action in Vienna. ¶3. (C) While Langer noted the importance that the EU3 3 remain unified, he did mention that Germany would be prepared to support a strong EU3 statement on Iran's (in)activity should an EU3 3 statement not be possible. He said it was important to actively counter Iran's argument that all "open questions are now closed" by highlighting that the open questions are not/not solved and that the IAEA report clearly states that Iran has not moved to solve "anything." ¶4. (C) Comment: Langer repeatedly expressed German frustration with Russia and China's unwillingness to cooperate at the IAEA or in the EU3 3 context on the Iran issue, noting that the new U.S. Administration offers a chance to renew the "validity" of the EU3 3. Koenig