Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA1073
2009-12-03 05:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA: LNG LTD. AND IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
how-toVZCZCXRO6000 RR RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #1073 3370519 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 030519Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2385 INFO RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6822 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5087 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5091 RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001073
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC (TOM HAMMANG),EEB/TFS
(CHRIS BACKEMEYER),NEA/IR (RAJEEV WADHWANI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: LNG LTD. AND IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
REF: A. STATE 121808
B. 2007 PERTH 15
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 001073
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC (TOM HAMMANG),EEB/TFS
(CHRIS BACKEMEYER),NEA/IR (RAJEEV WADHWANI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: LNG LTD. AND IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
REF: A. STATE 121808
B. 2007 PERTH 15
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
1. (SBU) Econoff spoke with Liquefied Natural Gas Limited
(LNG Ltd.) Managing Director and CEO Maurice Brand on
December 2. Our former Consul General in Perth last spoke
with Brand regarding the Iran Sanctions Act on March 16, 2007
(reftel B). Responses to reftel A follow below.
2. (C) According to Brand, LNG's original interest was to set
up a small platform on Qeshm island to liquefy and export LNG
globally. However, no agreement was ever reached with Iran
and the project never materialized. Brand said no one from
the company has visited the site in the past two years and
there has been no negotiation activity on the project since,
stating that, "LNG has never been more than a potential
developer" for the project.
3. (C) Brand revealed that over the past four years LNG has
spent about USD 1 million on trips, studies, and other
associated expenses related to the project. While conscious
of U.S. sanctions and their negative repercussions, Brand
blamed dealing with Iran's "internal difficulties" as the
real reason why no deal ever came to fruition. He maintains
that the investment is still viable, "If the Iranians ever
get their act together." Brand said the investment, if
carried out, would be worth approximately USD 600 million.
BLEICH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC (TOM HAMMANG),EEB/TFS
(CHRIS BACKEMEYER),NEA/IR (RAJEEV WADHWANI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET ETTC PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: LNG LTD. AND IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
REF: A. STATE 121808
B. 2007 PERTH 15
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4 (
b)(d).
1. (SBU) Econoff spoke with Liquefied Natural Gas Limited
(LNG Ltd.) Managing Director and CEO Maurice Brand on
December 2. Our former Consul General in Perth last spoke
with Brand regarding the Iran Sanctions Act on March 16, 2007
(reftel B). Responses to reftel A follow below.
2. (C) According to Brand, LNG's original interest was to set
up a small platform on Qeshm island to liquefy and export LNG
globally. However, no agreement was ever reached with Iran
and the project never materialized. Brand said no one from
the company has visited the site in the past two years and
there has been no negotiation activity on the project since,
stating that, "LNG has never been more than a potential
developer" for the project.
3. (C) Brand revealed that over the past four years LNG has
spent about USD 1 million on trips, studies, and other
associated expenses related to the project. While conscious
of U.S. sanctions and their negative repercussions, Brand
blamed dealing with Iran's "internal difficulties" as the
real reason why no deal ever came to fruition. He maintains
that the investment is still viable, "If the Iranians ever
get their act together." Brand said the investment, if
carried out, would be worth approximately USD 600 million.
BLEICH