MEXICO'S VIEWS ON THE NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION TREATY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MEXICO 000724 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT (ISN/MNSA),GENEVA (CD),UNVIE (IAEA),USUN (POL),USNATO (POL) AND USEU (POL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2028 TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA IAEA, NPT, MX SUBJECT: MEXICO'S VIEWS ON THE NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION TREATY REF: STATE 6970 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason : 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (U) Deputy PolCouns met with Julian Juarez Cardenas, the Deputy Director General for UN-Related Security and Legal Issues at the Foreign Ministry, to solicit Mexico's views on the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Juarez remarked that this was the first time in his experience that a USG official had ever approached him asking for the GOM's views on a policy matter without in the same breath urging Mexico to adopt our stance. He found the approach refreshing and read into it a greater overarching willingness on the part of the new administration to listen more closely to the views of others. He also didn't pass up the opportunity to share Mexico's views on the NPT, sharing a four page paper he had prepared in response to the questions in reftel. He remarked that he was still waiting on Mexico's Mission to the UN in New York and Vienna to come in with their own comments on these questions. Mexico's NPT Objectives ¶2. (SBU) Juarez stressed the importance Mexico attached to the "universality" of the NPT and maintained Mexico would like to see the international community bring pressure to bear upon Israel, Pakistan, and India to accede to the treaty. Juarez also noted that the treaty consists of three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The U.S. has dedicated much time and political capital to the cause of non-proliferation but had not demonstrated comparable dedication to meeting its disarmament commitments. Mexico believes it is important for the nuclear states to undertake good faith negotiations to reduce their nuclear arsenals in conformity with Article VI of the NPT. To that end, he drew attention to French President Sarkozy's recent call for a worldwide ban on nuclear testing and a moratorium on the production of fissile material. ¶3. (U) With respect to the Review Conference itself, Juarez said that Mexico was looking to the nuclear states to honor their commitment to the 13 practical steps towards nuclear disarmament agreed upon at the 2000 Review Conference by generating concrete recommendations for their implementation at the 2010 Review Conference. Second, Mexico would also like to see progress made toward the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. Third, Mexico wanted the nuclear powers to recognize the importance of affirming the non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. Juarez said that Mexico saw this affirmation as a precursor to opening negotiations of an international instrument on this matter. What is Mexico Looking for from the U.S. on the NPT? ¶4. (SBU) As noted above, Mexico is looking for the U.S. to place greater emphasis on disarmament and, more specifically, on complying with the 13 steps adopted at the 2000 Review Conference. Mexico would also like to see a renovation of START negotiations and a greater willingness of the U.S. and the other nuclear states to be more transparent about their strategic nuclear weapon programs. How Would Define Success for the Coming 2010 NPT Review Conference? ¶5. (SBU) Repeating the points above, Juarez remarked that Mexico would define success at the 2010 Review Conference to include: 1) the recognition by the nuclear states of their commitment to implement the 13 steps adopted in 2000; 2) progress towards creation of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East; and 3) AGREEMENT by the nuclear states to provide "negative guarantees" to the non-nuclear states regarding the non-use of nuclear weapons against nuclear states. Mexico would also support the adoption of measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons and stronger commitments by states that have nuclear programs to the exclusive employment of these programs for peaceful ends. Mexico would like to see the establishment of a multilateral mechanism managing the disbursement of nuclear fuel that would meet the requirements of the international community. Finally, Mexico would like to see the status of North Korea's membership resolved. As far as Mexico is concerned, North Korea has sent mixed signals and this matter requires clarification. ¶6. (U) While Mexico concedes some states have used the requirement of consensus to block decisions, Mexico believes decisions that win consensus inherently enjoy greater weight. It does not support a change in how decisions are made. Mexico's Views on Key NPT Issues ¶7. (C) Mexico's paper responding to our questions addressed each one of the following points: -- Noncompliance with the NPT, e.g. for example Iran and North Korea. Mexico believes member states should take actions to compel these states to comply with their obligations to cooperate and provide information to the IAEA. Mexico's paper specifically suggests adoption of a decision, resolution, or declaration by which these states would agree to cooperation and share information about their programs. -- The prospect of Parties violating and then withdrawing from the Treaty. Mexico respects the rights of Parties to withdraw from the treaty but only after they have fulfilled established procedures. For example, a state that has received nuclear equipment or TECHNOLOGY needs to return it. In the case of North Korea, Mexico would like to see the international community "convince" North Korea to reaffirm its commitment to the NPT. Mexico looks to the six party talks to demonstrate "flexibility" in striving for an agreement that proves acceptable to all sides and produces demilitarization on the Korean peninsula. -- The lack of NPT universality. As noted prior, Mexico believes the Review Conference should serve to foment universality. Mexico believes the nuclear states could advance this objective by undertaking negotiations to reduce their armaments. -- The lack of universality of NPT SAFEGUARDS agreements and the Additional Protocol. Mexico believes both instruments advance verification of nuclear programs and to the extent more states subscribe to them the international community will face fewer proliferation risks. Mexico has not yet ratified the Additional Protocol for internal political reasons out of concern submission of this instrument to the Congress for consideration could somehow get linked to energy reform which has proven controversial. -- The spread of enrichment and repossessing capabilities to additional countries. While reaffirming the right of states to develop, investigate and use nuclear energy for peaceful ends, Mexico believes the international community needs to develop a mechanism for the disbursement of nuclear fuel. -- Fulfilling the Treaty's obligation for the fullest possible international cooperation for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy consistent with the Treaty's nonproliferation obligations. Mexico believes all Parties should support international cooperation in favor of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and extend their collaboration with the IAEA so it can ascertain the nature of their programs. -- Fulfilling the Treaty's obligations to pursue negotiations relating to nuclear disarmament. As noted on several occasions, Mexico strongly believes that the nuclear states need to take concrete steps towards disarmament starting with the measures agreed to at the 2000 Review Conference. -- Transparency on the part of nuclear weapon states with regard to their nuclear weapon forces and policies. Mexico affirms the importance of the nuclear states entering into negotiations to advance their disarmament obligations suggesting that the nuclear states look at agreeing to apply simultaneously the steps adopted in 2000. To advance greater transparency, Mexico believes the nuclear states should share greater information about not only those weapons they have disarmed but also those that are operational and on alert. To this end, Mexico suggests establishing a mechanism to promote greater transparency. ¶8. (C) Comment. Mexico clearly appreciated being approached regarding its views on the NPT and did not lose this chance to stress the importance it attached to nuclear states doing more to meet their disarmament obligations, more specifically with regard to the 13 steps adopted at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. Mexico is looking for the nuclear states to do more on this front at the upcoming 2010 Review Conference as well as on providing more guarantees to non-nuclear states regarding the non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. Mexico is genuinely worried about proliferation when it comes to nuclear renegades such as Iran and North Korea. However, Mexico also believes more should be done to advance the principle of university when it comes to states like Israel, India and Pakistan. Committed to the principles of multilateralism and non-intervention, Mexico could offer little beyond broad-based moral suasion wrapped up in multilateral resolutions to deal with those states such as Iran and North Korea that aren't meeting their commitments. 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 / BASSETT