CZECHS SUPPORT AN IAEA CONSENSUS APPROACH ON

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000555 SIPDIS SENSITIVE ISN/RA FOR JDANIEL AND ASTUKALIN, EUR/CE FOR JBERGEMANN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP AORC PARM PREL EZ IS IAEA SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT AN IAEA CONSENSUS APPROACH ON MIDDLE EAST SAFEGUARDS (C O R R E C T E D C O P Y--ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION) REF: SECSTATE 94890 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Poloffs met on September 15, 2009, with Mr. David Masek of the Czech MFA's UN Department to deliver the points outlined in reftel. Masek assured us that, while both the Czech Republic and the EU seek to achieve a workable consensus during the IAEA General Conference -- particularly with an eye toward establishing a constructive atmosphere for next year's NPT Review Conference -- there are certain "red lines" that the Czechs believe must not be crossed. Chief among these red lines is any action aimed at introducing the Arab League's Israeli Nuclear Capabilities resolution. ¶2. (SBU) Masek noted Czech appreciation for New Zealand's efforts to build a consensus, indicating that, within the context of the GC President's statement, it might be possible to achieve a compromise satisfying Arab League representatives. Ultimately, the Czechs' goal is to see a resolution emphasizing Middle East safeguards in the broadest context, as unnecessary specificity inevitably leads to dispute. (Expressing what he was careful to identify as a personal viewpoint, Masek observed that successfully creating a consensus at the GC also requires a measure of flexibility on the part of Israel, whose proposed amendments should not necessarily be accepted carte blanche.) Thompson-Jones