ARGENTINA RECEPTIVE ON NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE GOALS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001231 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/17 TAGS: PREL IAEA ENRG AR KNNP SUBJECT: ARGENTINA RECEPTIVE ON NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE GOALS IN MEETINGS WITH AMB. SUSAN BURK REF: A) BRASILIA 1320; B) BUENOS AIRES 0964 CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Kelly, Deputy Chief of Mission, State; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. During meetings in Buenos Aires on October 26-27, Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation Susan Burk successfully identified areas of common interest and support going in to the 2010 Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. Candid discussions helped clarify positions and explain policy priorities. While consultations revealed differences in views, Argentine interlocutors strongly endorsed continued engagement with the U.S. in advancing all three pillars of the NPT: disarmament; non-proliferation; and peaceful use of nuclear technology. Argentina indicated openness to enhancing safeguards, including the adoption of an Additional Protocol (AP),although interlocutors pointed to the cost and technical burdens of the AP as a barrier. Most significantly, they again pointed to Brazil's opposition to the AP as a barrier given Argentina's close integration with Brazil on nuclear safeguards. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) In meetings with key Government of Argentina (GOA) officials on October 26-27 in Buenos Aires, the Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, Ambassador Susan Burk, described U.S. preparations and priorities for the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon). The Argentines were engaged on the topic, well-informed, and appreciative of the opportunity to have an open and frank discussion with the USG. ¶3. (U) Using President Obama's speech on nonproliferation in Prague and Secretary Clinton's recent speech on nonproliferation at the U.S. Institute for Peace as points of departure, Amb. Burk described the USG approach to the 2010 NPT RevCon, and its determination to contribute to a balanced review that addresses the three pillars of the NPT: nonproliferation; disarmament; and peaceful use of nuclear technology. On disarmament, she outlined the President's agenda, particularly the negotiations with Russia on a new START agreement, plans to seek US Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and negotiation of a verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FCMT). With respect to nonproliferation, she emphasized the importance of strengthening the safeguards regime, including by promoting universal adherence to the Additional Protocol, which Argentina has not yet adopted. ¶4. (U) For the RevCon, Amb. Burk said the U.S. would be prepared to address other issues including the abuse of the withdrawal provision, compliance with the NPT, and support, including financial, for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Amb. Burk also highlighted the importance of RevCon consideration of the peaceful use of nuclear energy especially given growing interest in nuclear power as a result of concerns about climate change and energy security. Argentina could play an important role in this discussion given its role as an exporter of nuclear technologies. A COMMITTED AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNER IN THE REGION -------------- --- ¶5. (C) In a meeting with Dr. Norma Boero, head of the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA),Amb. Burk outlined areas believed to be of common interest, such as demonstrating progress on disarmament, strengthening of safeguards and support for the IAEA to enforce them, abuse of the withdrawal provision, and multilateral fuel assurances. Boero emphasized Argentina's role as a leader in the area of peaceful uses, having the capacity to provide training, fuel and expertise for energy and medical applications, although she expressed concerns about how a fuel bank could impede Argentina's technological development for fuel fabrication. She touted the GOA's recent effort to convert all highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) for its reactors, which is scheduled to be completed in mid-2010, and noted that Argentina is now providing both fuel and advice on LEU, especially for "high-flow" reactors. ¶6. (C) Amb. Burk pointed out that these efforts demonstrated the GOA's credibility as a leader on nonproliferation. She said she hoped Argentina would be able to take steps to adopt the Additional Protocol (AP), but acknowledged this would have to be reconciled with Argentina's participation in the regional safeguards organization, the Brazil-Argentina Agency for Accountability and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC). Amb. Burk suggested that the GOA and USG work together to reinforce a common message on safeguards, including the AP, with Boero expressing support for further outreach and an openness to considering how Argentina could improve its own safeguards implementation. On several occasions Boero emphasized GOA's commitment to a successful 2010 Review Conference, noting the GOA was willing "to provide support for whatever is necessary." ¶7. (C) Meetings with the Argentina Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) revealed a similar openness to finding areas of common interest and cooperation as well as some additional areas of concern. In a discussion with ARN Head, Dr. Raul Racana, Amb. Burk commented on the special relationship the US and Argentina enjoyed, and the "extraordinary" bilateral cooperation demonstrated by the Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation (JSCNEC). Racana said this cooperation was "just good," and that further cooperation in the area of technology assistance could improve this relationship. Amb. Burk raised the AP, encouraging the GOA to adopt it, although she acknowledged Argentina's role in ABACC and Brazil's position. Racana responded that the AP "is a lot of work" and imposes additional costs, and that more simple and straightforward safeguards technologies would facilitate and enable its implementation. Amb. Burk said she understood that initial implementation of the AP was, indeed, a lot of work, but could lead to Argentina achieving "integrated safeguards," which would lessen the safeguards burden in the longer term. MFA: DIFFERENT POINTS OF EMPHASIS BUT COMMON OBJECTIVES -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) In a meeting with key Foreign Ministry issue leaders on October 26, MFA Director General or Political Affairs Rafael Grossi expressed appreciation for Obama's agenda and approach, noting UNSCR 1887 could be an effective tool for addressing NPT compliance and withdrawal issues. He registered concern, however, about certain messages from senior administration officials such as references to a "4th pillar" and a "21st century version of the NPT" that would include India. Both Grossi and Director of International Security, Nuclear and Space Issues (DIGAN) Gustavo Ainchil emphasized that were the NPT opened up it could never be closed again. Ainchil sustained that safety and capacity-building duties will necessarily create large budget demands on the IAEA if there is a nuclear renaissance. ¶9. (C) Amb. Burk explained that the U.S. has no plans to amend the NPT, and the fourth pillar was a reference to new concerns about nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism. This was not intended to reflect USG interest in a new provision of the NPT but was a complementary goal that NPT parties possessing nuclear material and technology should embrace. She also expressed concern for how implementation of the 1995 Middle East Resolution would play out at the 2010 Review Conference, noting Egypt will likely focus exclusively on this resolution. She noted that the U.S. is working to facilitate constructive engagement with Egypt and Israel with a view to finding a way forward. She suggested the GOA could be helpful in outreach on this and other regional issues, noting that Argentina's credibility would be an asset. Grossi responded that Argentina had its own distinct goals in the NPT Review, but that they were largely in line with U.S. objectives. Grossi emphasized the need to maintain engagement with the U.S. and continue to identify areas of cooperation and common interest, both before and after the RevCon. ¶10. (C) Amb. Burk continued MFA discussions with Vice Minister Victorio Taccetti on October 27, joined by Nuclear Security Summit Sherpa, Ambassador (ret) Elsa Kelly, and Rafael Grossi as well as Embassy DCM. As in earlier meetings, Taccetti praised the Obama administration's agenda on nonproliferation and its approach to multilateralism. He described arms control advances between the United States and the Russian Federation as "very important." Taccetti stressed Argentina's focus on the medical applications of nuclear technology and "clean" energy production, but indicated concern about the possible imposition of new barriers to this business through nuclear security efforts. Taccetti said that Argentina "is not opposed" to signing the AP, but that its current arrangements with ABACC and Brazil's opposition to the AP prevent it from doing so. He indicated that the GOA is promoting better regional integration and safeguards cooperation with Brazil, and would like to see U.S. recognition for these efforts. Amb. Burk acknowledged the GOA as a leader, noting that ABACC is a model for regional cooperation that potentially other countries, such as India and Pakistan, could use. Public Outreach -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Amb. Burk capped off her consultations in Buenos Aires with a well-received address to students and retired diplomats at Belgrano University. In a question and answer session, students focused many of their questions on Iran compliance and sanctions issues, noting concern that current actions were not effective. Questioners also raised concerns about U.S. development of new nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles. ¶12. (U) Ambassador Burk cleared this message. MARTINEZ