GERMANY PLEASED WITH USG ROLE ON ROSSENDORF

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000425 SIPDIS ENERGY FOR SARAH DICKERSON, ISN/NESS FOR DAN FENSTERMACHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2019 TAGS: ENRG KNNP OTRA TRGY IAEA RS GM SUBJECT: GERMANY PLEASED WITH USG ROLE ON ROSSENDORF FACILITY REF: STATE 27290 Classified By: Global Affairs Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Germany welcomed the USG's quick and helpful response offering assistance regarding the return and subsequent reprocessing of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Saxony's Rossendorf nuclear research facility back to Russia. On March 25, EconOff met with German MFA Desk Officer Joerg Polster and delivered the Ref A message, to which Polster reacted favorably. Polster outlined possible points of resistance within the German government and offered suggestions on participation and logistics. In addition, Polster has a conflict with the Ref A proposed date and offered the week of June 15 as an alternative. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Polster expressed thanks for the USG reftel response, calling it "very good news." He next identified the German Ministry of Environment (BMU) as the central point of resistance within the German government to this transfer. The BMU, Polster said, has a "dilemma". While the BMU's working level staff understands the practical need to effect the transfer, Polster stated that the BMU's senior officers are sensitive to the road transfer of the material to a German sea port. Additionally, and without further elaboration, Polster stated that the (BMU) will feel obliged, on principle, not to ship what it considers "nuclear waste" to Russia. (Note: Polster said other ministries, such as the Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) consider this material &raw material8 (and therefore not as politically sensitive as nuclear waste and do not share the BMU position. End Note) Polster noted that, in the past, BMU was agreeable to a meeting on this topic and he offered to invite BMU to the meeting. ¶3. (C) Polster's proposed venue for the meeting was the state of Saxony's representational office in Berlin. Polster said he recommends this site for two reasons. First, it signifies that the fuel reprocessing issue is, at its roots, a German state (as opposed to federal) issue. Second, by moving the meeting out of a federal ministry building, it creates a nominally neutral setting for the various elements of the German federal government. ¶4. (C) Polster expressed great appreciation for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative,s (GTRI) offer to coordinate Russian participation. He suggested that the Russian delegation would be most effective if it included ministry or embassy participation, as well as an official from the Russian reprocessing facility. The facility's representative would, Polster hopes, be able address specific logistics issues related to the transfer. ¶5. (C) Finally, Polster proposed the week of June 15 for the meeting due to personal and professional scheduling conflicts. Post appreciates DOE's and ISN's assistance and looks forward to their continued participation. Koenig