P5+1 DEBRIEF: "TOTAL CONVERGENCE" OF NORWEGIAN,

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000623 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IR NO SUBJECT: P5+1 DEBRIEF: "TOTAL CONVERGENCE" OF NORWEGIAN, U.S. IRAN POLICY REF: STATE 103219 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. James T. Heg for reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) Charge Heg met on October 7 with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Middle East Section, Jorn Gjelstad, as well as with the Norwegian Special Representative to the Middle East, Jon Hanssen-Bauer. The discussion covered reftel demarche points on Iran, as well as the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and Norway's bilateral relationships with Israel and Iraq. The latter points are reported septel. After Charge Heg gave our points from reftel, Gjelstad said--very emphatically--that he believed that there had been "complete convergence" in the Norwegian and U.S. positions, both on tactics and on long term strategy, with respect to Iran. He said Norway was "cautiously optimistic" after the Geneva talks, but expressed concern that the focus on and concessions with regard to the Qom facility might a diversionary tactic by Iran to sidetrack the issue from the basic area of controversy: Natanz and Bushehr. He said "we should not be over optimistic," adding that Norway is "mentally" preparing itself for a tightening of sanctions. ¶2. (C) Gjelstad said Norway was encouraged by UN Security Council Resolution 1886. While he said it was of course not legally binding and must be accepted by national parliaments, it nonetheless was a good move in advance of the NPT review conference this spring. Gjelstad said that he saw "significant improvements in the U.S.- Russia dialogue, and there could be "positive spillover" from that on the Iran issue. Citing an "organic linkage" between nonproliferation and disarmament, Gjelstad inquired about the progress of bilateral disarmament talks with Russia, wondering aloud if the U.S. might really agree to reductions in strategic armaments in Europe. Hanssen-Bauer asked us if there was anything specific we were asking Norway for help on with regard to Iran besidee continuing to push the government of Iran to meet its obligations as outlined by the P5 1. Charge Heg promised to pass this offer back to Washington. HEG