DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOK SHARES USG CONCERNS ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000944 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2019 TAGS: PREL UNGA KU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOK SHARES USG CONCERNS ABOUT IRANIAN NUCLEAR FACILITY REF: STATE 100153 Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Polcounselor raised reftel points concerning revelations that Iran is building a covert uranium enrichment facility on September 28 with Khaled Mugames, Director of MFA's Coordination and Follow-Up Department and, separately, with Rashed Al-Hajiri, officer responsible for Iran in MFA's Asia Department. Both confirmed that the GOK is deeply concerned about the latest evidence of unlawful Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capabiliy, with Mugames noting that the finding is consistent with a pattern of deception that has characterized the Iranian regime's activities for many years. Consistent with long-standing GOK policy, both interlocutors urged continued diplomatic engagement and the threat of strong sanctions to convince Iran to negotiate seriously and abide by its international obligations. They suggested the GOK will continue to make known its concerns in the appropriate fora. ¶2. (C) Comment: The GOK can be counted on to quietly make known its deep concerns in meetings with regional partners and other interlocutors but, typically, avoids making strong public statements that could offend its larger neighbor. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES