MEXICO ON NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION AND DISARMAMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 002677 SIPDIS FOR DEPARTMENT ISN/MNSA, GENEVA (CD),AND UNVIE (IAEA) ALSO FOR USUN (POL),USNATO (POL),AND USEU (POL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019 TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA IAEA, NPT, MX SUBJECT: MEXICO ON NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION AND DISARMAMENT ISSUES REF: A. STATE 068590 ¶B. MEXICO 0724 ¶C. MEXICO 2442 Classified By: PolMinCouns Gustavo Delgado. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Poloff discussed Government of Mexico (GOM) views on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT),negotiation of a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT),and U.S.-Russian arms control efforts (ref. A) with Julian Juarez Cadenas, Deputy Director General for UN-Related Security and Legal Issues at the Foreign Relations Secretariat (SRE). Deputy Polcouns met with him previously to solicit Mexico's views on the NPT (ref. B). Embassy also transmitted Mexican and Post contacts for NPT-related issues (ref. C). Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ¶2. (C) In addition to information on Mexico's views on and objectives for NPT provided in ref. A, Juarez emphasized that the GOM hopes states will address the three pillars of NPT -- nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy -- equally in the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon) in May 2010 in New York. He noted the U.K.'s recent proposal of a fourth pillar -- security of installations -- but stressed the other three should not be neglected, especially disarmament commitments. Juarez also said that Article 10 of the treaty should be strengthened to prevent countries from leaving the treaty without fulfilling their obligations. Mexico respects the rights of Parties to withdraw from the treaty but believes that sanctions should be included in Article 10 if they do not comply with established procedures. He referred to the importance of inspections in Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) ¶3. (C) Juarez noted that, of the 44 signatory states to the CTBT, nine have not ratified the treaty, including the U.S. Recalling that President Clinton signed the agreement, Juarez expressed relief that the Bush Administration was unsuccessful in rescinding its signature and hoped that the U.S. Senate now would ratify the treaty. He believes that this would encourage others to ratify it, including Israel, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt, not to mention China, Iran and North Korea. UNGA First (Disarmament) Committee ¶4. (C) Juarez explained that, since 2000, Mexico has been part of the "New Agenda Coalition" consisting of Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, Egypt, New Zealand, Sweden and South Africa charged with coordinating policy positions on nuclear disarmament within the First Committee. He noted that the GOM held the closest positions to these countries, with the exception of Egypt and South Africa. He said the group believes more emphasis needs to be placed on disarmament, not just nonproliferation. Conference on Disarmament (CD) ¶5. (C) Juarez noted that Mexico was part of the group of 21, which now consists of 25 countries, in the CD to coordinate policy positions. He was critical of a 12-year delay in the work of the CD, indicating that within the group of 21, Pakistan was most responsible. He also cited China as being responsible for the delays. Both countries continue to request more time before disarmament initiatives are discussed and implemented. Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) ¶6. (C) Juarez said that Mexico supports negotiation of the FMCT. He noted that the U.S. believes in simply cutting off production, whereas Mexico preferred an end to production and destruction of existing material. Notwithstanding this difference in opinion, Mexico would enter negotiations without pre-conditions. He said that the resulting treaty should be legally compatible and verifiable. U.S.-Russian Arms Control MEXICO 00002677 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) Juarez is pleased that there seemed to be the political will on both sides to get a new arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia before START expires in December. He said that it was important to avoid a period in which no agreement existed. He believes that a new agreement will provide security for both countries and a strong signal that the U.S. and Russia are committed to nuclear arms reductions. Juarez also hopes that the U.S. and Russia engage in other areas of disarmament. GOM Policymaking Process ¶8. (C) Juarez said that SRE is the lead agency in the policymaking process for nuclear nonproliferation and arms control. Because Mexico does not have any nuclear weapons, the Mexican military does not take a lead role, but SRE consults with the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) and the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) on matters pertaining to nonproliferation and disarmament. The Secretariat of Energy (SENER),the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and the National Commission on Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) are involved on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, such as Laguna Verde in the State of Veracruz, Mexico's only nuclear power plant. He said that the Health Secretariat provides advice on questions of biological weapons. SRE also consults with GOM's interagency coordinating body on disarmament, nonproliferation and terrorism led by the National Intelligence Directorate (CISEN) on questions related to joining other nuclear nonproliferation and arms control organizations. SRE liases with CISEN on questions of illicit arms trafficking. The Office of the Attorney General (PGR) plays a role in combating small arms trafficking. Key Factors in GOM's Policy Decisions ¶9. (C) Juarez reiterated Mexico's commitment to multilateralism within the UN Security Council and non-intervention and said that disarmament and nonproliferation were the key factors in Mexico's decision making process. The goal is to prevent threats to its national territory, including those emanating from international disputes and regional conflicts. Nuclear Power Industry, Academia and NGOs ¶10. (SBU) Juarez noted that there are no NGOs in Mexico involved on disarmament issues except for Oxfam, which addresses combating small arms trafficking. He said that NGOs will have the opportunity, however, to learn more about the subject in the 62nd Conference of the UN's Department of Public Information and the Committee of NGOs being held in Mexico September 9-11. The GOM consults with academic specialists on an ad hoc basis on the subject. He noted no nuclear power industry except for the Laguna Verde nuclear power plant. ¶11. (SBU) Comment: Juarez expressed again his appreciation for the chance to provide GOM views on the subject of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. He would welcome the USG reaction so far to inquiries made to the GOM and other countries in preparation for Revcon. End Comment. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / PASCUAL