AUSTRALIA AGREES WITH U.S. POSTURE ON IRAN'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001043

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/FO ELISA CATALANO; ISN/RA RICHARD NEPHEW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019
TAGS: PREL IR AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA AGREES WITH U.S. POSTURE ON IRAN'S
NUCLEAR PROGRAM

REF: STATE 120288

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Edgard D. Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)


1. (C) Summary: Australia is in complete agreement with the
P5 1 two track approach to Iran's nuclear program. It has
lobbied for this approach at APEC and the East Asian Summit
and has made its views clear to Iran. When there is a need
for further sanctions because of Iranian refusal of IAEA and
P5 1 proposals, Australia is ready to increase its pressure.
End summary.


2. (C) Jenny Bloomfield, Director of the Middle East Section
of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT),emphasized on November 23 strong Australian support
for the P5 1's two track approach of negotiation or sanctions
with Iran. Australia is ready to change tracks if and when
its partners on the IAEA's Board of Governors deem it
necessary. She said DFAT briefed the Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister on the Iran nuclear issue before the East
Asia Summit and APEC, and at their respective meetings, PM
Rudd and FM Smith shared and lobbied for that approach with
their counterparts. Australia also regularly shares its
views on the importance of IAEA and P5 1 positions with
Iranian officials, both here in Canberra and in Tehran.


3. (C) Bloomfield said that Australia is currently exploring
ways of increasing pressure on Iran by further tightening
existing regulations and by pursuing further sanctions if
Iran refuses to accept the offers on the table from the IAEA,
France, Russia and the United States. Presently, Australia
imposes all Security Council sanctions on Iranian individuals
and entities having verifiable connections with Iranian WMD
programs. It also has imposed mirrored sanctions to those of
the EU since October 2008. These are more flexible and can
be imposed on individuals and entities without the same
burden of proof required by the UN Security Council. As
negotiations continue with Iran on its future nuclear
programs, Australia is open to all options required by the
second track if there is no negotiated solution.


4. (C) DFAT's Bloomfield said Australia stands ready to work
with the United States and its partners on either track of
the present policy with Iran because the government wants the
same outcome -- an Iran without nuclear weaponry.
BLEICH