IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR: FRENCH-IRAN DISAGREEMENT CAUSES DELAY OF

UNCLAS RPO DUBAI 000444 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL IR PARM SUBJECT: IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR: FRENCH-IRAN DISAGREEMENT CAUSES DELAY OF DAY TWO VIENNA TALKS? ¶1. (U) October 19 Iranian press reports of the first day of Vienna IAEA negotiations cited IAEA Director General's characterization of the talks as "very constructive" and "a good start." However other Iranian press, to include two October 19 'PressTV' pieces titled "Iran Rejects 'Direct Talks' with France in Vienna," and " France Removed From Iran Uranium Suppliers," cited "a source close to the meeting" as saying that Iran would not hold direct talks with France in Vienna on the purchase of highly-enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). This source was quoted as saying that: - "France has failed in its responsibilities regarding nuclear cooperation with Iran and continues to create obstacles in the process of negotiations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); " - "Iran will not hold direct talks with France in Vienna for failing to deliver its nuclear materials in the past." (Comment: Western press cites sources in Tehran as saying that France could no longer be trusted due to its unwillingness to deliver 50 tons of UF6 gas, despite Iran's ten percent ownership of the French Uranium enrichment company Eurodif. End Comment) Subsequently, October 20 ISNA reporting quoted "sources close to the Vienna discussions" as saying that France's non-participation in the consortium of countries providing fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor was "definite." DAY TWO DELAY? -------------- ¶2. (U) Again citing "sources close to the Vienna negotiations," another October 20 ISNA piece reported that "French disruptions" were causing the delay of the start of the second day discussions. This source ascribed France's "destructive efforts" to "scuttle the negotiations" to its being omitted from the arrangements to supply fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor. The source said France's actions lead to both disagreements between the US and Russia and between France and these two countries on the other, in addition to leading to consultations with IAEA head Al-Baradei. ¶3. (U) A subsequent October 20 ISNA report quoted "sources close to the Vienna negotiations" as saying that the delay of the second day discussions was related to a change in the text of the draft agreement, and France's elimination from it. This source cited "serious efforts" by the French representative at the talks to pressure IAEA Director General Al-Baradei to prevent any type of agreement for the provision of fuel to Iran. This ISNA report said that as of 1400 hours Tehran time the Vienna talks had still not started due to French pressure on the IAEA Director General, and again cited French "negative and destructive efforts" as causing disputes between the American and Russian delegations on the one side and the French delegation on the other side. EYREAE