POST SNAPSHOT OF NEWLY-APPOINTED IRAN NUCLEAR

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000268 NOFORN SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IR, IO, OES E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2019 TAGS: KNNP KISL IAEA PHUM PREL IR SA SUBJECT: POST SNAPSHOT OF NEWLY-APPOINTED IRAN NUCLEAR CHIEF -- JEDDAH-BASED, FORMER OIC A/S FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS JEDDAH 00000268 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CG MARTIN R. QUINN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: The Jeddah-based Organization for the Islamic Conference's (OIC) recent Assistant Secretary for Scientific and Technology Affairs, Ali Akbar Salehi, an AUB grad with doctorate from MIT, has been named chief of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization. In 2008, USG officials dealt with Salehi -- then seconded to the OIC -- in negotiating a cooperation framework between the State Dept/USAID and the OIC on a health initiative. In various interactions with Salehi since summer 2008, post found Salehi to be cooperative, open to working with USG officials, mild in his demeanor, moderate in his approach, and professionally focused on achieving scientific objectives. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) "MILD-MANNERED" AND IN FAVOR OF RESOLVING NUCLEAR ROW: According to July 18 media reports, Ali Akbar Salehi, recently Assistant Secretary for Scientific and Technology Affairs at the OIC, has been named head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization. The assignment is in line with Salehi's previous posting as Iranian Representative at the IAEA. An Arab News (Reuters) article notes that analysts consider that "the mild-mannered politician is in favor of resolving Iran's nuclear row with the West through talks." Salehi is a graduate of the American University of Beirut (AUB) with a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). ¶3. (C) INTERACTION ON US-OIC HEALTH COOPERATION FRAMEWORK: In December 2008, the Department and USAID signed a cooperation framework with the OIC to advance efforts to improve neonatal and maternal health care efforts in OIC member states in Africa. Salehi was one of several key officials with whom then U.S. Special Envoy to the OIC Sada Cumber and Jeddah poloff had interaction on a regular basis. Though he was present and active in the working meetings leading up to the agreement, Salehi was less focused on the minute details and language of the framework. Consistently supportive of the process, he spoke frequently of the importance of cooperating on this health initiative. He commented on one occasion that he was "more a scientist than a diplomat." �00A;¶4. (C) A MODERATE SCIENTIST: Salehi comes across as moderate, well-spoken, relaxed and friendly -- a scientist rather than an ideologue. During post's interactions, Salehi never raised any broader political issues and maintained tight focus on the objectives of achieving some type of agreement related to maternal and neonatal health care. Up until the signing of the cooperation framework, Salehi showed no reticence towards working with USG officials and his nationality was not a point of discussion. Infallibly polite in greeting ConGen officers, he showed eagerness in moving forward to finalize the cooperation. Salehi appeared to distance himself from larger OIC policy decisions and made it clear that his approach to work was that of a scientist. ¶5. (S/NF) EVER FRIENDLY BUT LIMITED INTERACTION SINCE DECEMBER: Since the signing of the Cooperation Framework in December 2008, post has had no direct interaction with Salehi beyond the CG's encountering him occasionally at social events -- where he consistently projected a warm, friendly manner shaking with both hands. Following a question raised whether an Iranian could or should sign the Cooperation Framework with the U.S. on behalf of the OIC (the Secretary General himself had been expected to sign),Salehi may have become more cautious about interaction with the consulate; the one subsequent meeting was attended only by his associate, Science and Technology Director General, Razley Nordin. ¶6. (S/NF) OIC AND IRAN: UNEASY RELATIONSHIP: It is clear from many meeting with ranking OIC officials that the relationship between the OIC and member state Iran is often uneasy. Iran has been portrayed by senior advisers and assistant secretaries at the OIC as playing an obstructive role at meetings. The Westward-leaning Turkish leadership clan takes pains to side-line Iranian efforts when perceived to interfere with organizational efficiency or the goals/agenda of Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. ¶7. (S/NF) COMMENT: Although we were aware of his previous IAEA assignment, Salehi never gave us reason to believe that his focus in Jeddah was in any way related to Iranian nuclear JEDDAH 00000268 002.2 OF 002 ambitions. Post is unaware of what interactions the seconded Iranian may have had with Iranian officials during his time at the OIC although we presume there was contact. Salehi always appeared to ConGen staff as someone who was easy to talk to, rational, focused, engaging and personally charming. His approach to issues as a scientist rather than a diplomat may or may not be contrived. Regardless, his amiable personality is likely to be a positive force in any negotiations in which he may be directly involved. END COMMENT. QUINN