SESAME SEES ITSELF AS A MODEL CENTER FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISTANBUL 000320 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PRELTBIOBA CY EG ENRG IR IS IZ JO PK TPHY, TSPL, TU, TRGY SUBJECT: SESAME SEES ITSELF AS A MODEL CENTER FOR "SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE", SEEKS ADDITIONAL FUNDING ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The fourteenth meeting of the Council of Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) was held in Istanbul in July. The SESAME project is a scientific initiative currently under construction in Jordan that currently fosters positive international relations between many unlikely entities in the Middle East. Developed under the auspices of UNESCO, SESAME is a major international research facility that will enable world class research to be conducted by scientists from the Middle East. Representatives from Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey discussed the direction of the program and how to overcome SESAME's financial challenges. Represented by CG Istanbul poleconoff, the United States attended as an official observer. All the representatives cast SESAME as an ideal example of the kind of institution President Obama had in mind when he called for establishing "centers of scientific excellence" in the Middle East. END SUMMARY. -------------- SESAME -- A World-Class Science Center for the Middle East -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Modeled after the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN),the SESAME project is jointly governed by a diverse Council of nine members -- Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. Negotiations for Council membership are underway with Iraq. The Council members have transcended political differences to collaborate on SESAME's design, development, and scientific program. Observers of the Council include France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ¶3. (SBU) Following the recommendation of an expert European Commission panel, which reviewed this design in 2002, a truly world-class facility is now under construction. However, while the EU has provided 1.2 million Euros, and Jordan has made generous contributions (3.3 million USD in addition to land, buildings, and infrastructure),more funding is needed to purchase important technical components. While the major elements are in place, (SESAME conducted a successful use of the synchrotron a few weeks ago),without remaining funds, SESAME's completion is in jeopardy. ¶4. (SBU) While there are over 60 synchrotron facilities around the world, SESAME is the first in the Middle East. Researchers will work in many disciplines, including addressing biomedical and environmental issues. For example, researchers using a synchrotron developed antiretroviral drugs used to combat HIV. The international scientific community has strongly endorsed SESAME's diplomatic and scientific objectives. The SESAME project has garnered the support of international organizations such as UNESCO and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (representing more than 59 member countries). -------------- The Istanbul Meeting -------------- ISTANBUL 00000320 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Representatives from Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey met in Istanbul to discuss SESAME's progress and plan how to get the resources to complete the research center. SESAME researchers told the Council 2014 was the target date SESAME will be operational. More importantly, SESAME officials deliberated opportunities to raise the 15 million USD to ensure at least the minimum level of construction needed to make SESAME fully operational. Council President Chris Llewellyn Smith said SESAME could possibly borrow the additional funds, either from the Jordanian royal family or the European Investment Bank. Smith, however, was concerned that the Jordanian well might soon go dry. ¶6. (SBU) The Council was optimistic that recent events have opened two funding opportunities from the U.S. Smith and many members pointed to President Obama's Cairo speech where the U.S. committed itself to open "centers of scientific excellence" in the region. The members saw SESAME as an ideal model to make the President's statement into a reality. Moreover, Israel representative Elizer Rabinovici reported he personally discussed the scientific and diplomatic benefits of SESAME with Congressperson Rush Holt, who is now a supporter of SESAME and is seeking ways to encourage a U.S. financial contribution. Smith asserted that a financial contribution from the U.S. would not only enable construction to continue, but would likewise encourage other nations to provide additional necessary funding. ¶7. (SBU) The members were optimistic that Iraq would soon join SESAME. Smith told the Council that his discussions with the government of Iraq were going well. However, no representatives from two SESAME members -- Bahrain and Pakistan -- attended the Istanbul meeting. Smith said he would contact representatives from these two countries to ensure their participation in subsequent SESAME meetings. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: SESAME is a rare organization where Middle East nations participate in an unlikely working partnership. Representatives from Iran, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Cyprus, and Turkey work together towards advancing the body of science. The Middle East is sadly lacking such world-class research facilities and SESAME could be a model center of excellence" as envisioned by President Obama for the region. SESAME can benefit both science and diplomacy, yet additional funding is needed to make both these goals a reality. A poorly funded SESAME that simply houses researchers from diverse nations would fall short of achieving either goal. Council President Smith stressed that "if the science is successful, political success will follow." However, the delay in establishing a true world-class synchrotron jeopardizes the chances the science will be successful. SESAME needs additional funding to make the science a success. WIENER