IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR: NOVEMBER 17: IRAN INITIAL REACTION TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RPO DUBAI 000495 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IR PGOV PREL PARM SUBJECT: IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR: NOVEMBER 17: IRAN INITIAL REACTION TO IAEA REPORT, RED LINES DUBAI 00000495 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The following contains November 16-17 nuclear-related statements as reported in the Iranian press by: ¶A. IRIG IAEA Rep Soltanieh: 'Fordo Inspection Confirms Iran's Information' ¶B. Head of Majlis Foreign Relations Subcommittee of the National Security Committee: 'Iran Isn't Going to Swap Fuel' ¶C. IAEA Director El-Baradei: 'Inspection Confirms Iran's Honesty' (IRNA) ¶D. Ayandenews: 'Export of Iranian Fuel is Red Line' ¶2. (SBU) IRIG OFFICIAL COMMENTS: ¶A. IRIG IAEA REP SOLTANIEH: 'FORDO INSPECTION CONFIRMS IRAN'S INFORMATION' (ISNA, NOV 16) Title: Soltanieh to ISNA: "Iran Won't Implement Additional Protocol and Code 3.1. The IAEA Inspection Results of Fordo Conform to the Information Provided by Iran" Summary: In this story Soltanieh is quoted as saying: - [Re November IAEA report]: IAEA inspection results conform to all the information provided by Iran concerning Fordo. - This IAEA report, like the previous normal and repetitive ones, again concerns itself with the normal process of inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. - [Noting that the only difference with this report is that it contains a report on the inspectors' inspection of Iran's second enrichment site (Fordo)]: It was announced in this report that there were inspections of Iran's second enrichment site and the results of these inspections clearly indicate that all the information Iran provided corresponds with the inspection results and that there is no centrifuge installed in this facility and nuclear material isn't being used in it. - Re Fordo, we pointed out that to due to the continuation of threats against Iran's nuclear centers, Iran had no option but to establish another enrichment center besides Natanz. - This report shows that the propaganda and political hullaballoo about Fordo after Iran's voluntary announcement to the IAEA is totally baseless. - As has been said repeatedly, Iran in no way will end its peaceful nuclear activities to include enrichment~ Iran will continue its transparent cooperation with the IAEA and this latest report is another document from this nuclear watchdog that announces that all of Iran's nuclear activities are within a peaceful framework and under the supervision of the IAEA. - [ Re El-Baradei's emphasis in the report on Iran's implementing the Additional Protocol and the Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements]: This sentence is repetitive and was in all the previous reports. After Iran's technical and specialized nuclear issues were referred to the Security Council, without any technical or legal considerations, the Majlis instructed the Government to cease implementing the DUBAI 00000495 002.2 OF 003 Additional Protocol and the 3.1 Code. Iran continues to cooperate with the IAEA based on the NPT and carries out all its activities under IAEA supervision. ¶B. HEAD OF MAJLIS FOREIGN RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE: IRAN ISN'T GOING TO SWAP FUEL (November 16, Mehr News) Summary: Hojjatoleslam Hossein Ebrahimi, Head of Majlis Foreign Relations Subcommittee of the National Security Committee, said that Iran would in no way exchange its 3.5 percent enriched uranium for 20 percent enriched fuel from the West. Iran would either buy fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) if someone wants to sell it, or produce it itself. ¶3. (SBU) OTHER ARTICLES/NEWS: ¶C. EL-BARADEI: INSPECTION CONFIRMS IRAN'S HONESTY (November 17, IRNA) Summary: The IAEA inspection results concerning Natanz conform to what Iran has announced. The report makes reference to the following paragraphs from the report in enumerating the report's 23 'positive points': Paragraphs 3-11, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26. [COMMENT: This IRNA article omits mention of the IEAE's comments on Fordo (paragraphs 12-17),the "Possible Military Dimensions" section (paragraphs 31-32),and the "Summary" (paragraphs 33-27] ¶D. AYANDEH NEWS: "SENDING URANIUM ABROAD OUTSIDE THE REGIME'S RED LINE" [Ayandenews (pragmatic conservative),November 16] - A source close to Iran's nuclear negotiating team told "Ayande": "sending uranium outside of Iran before receiving fuel is outside of the Regime's redlines." This source said "with the Supreme Leader's clear opinion that sending uranium outside of Iran before receiving 20 percent enriched fuel is out of the question, and the Islamic Republic is only prepared to lock and seal its own 3.5 percent enriched uranium under IAEA supervision on Iranian soil. - The IAEA website has reported equipping storage areas in Turkey to receive Iranian fuel and 'Middle East News' has claimed that President Ahmadinejad showed a positive reaction to the role of Turkey as a mediator in the exchange of fuel. - There is also a significant difference of opinion between the sides on how much Iranian enriched uranium needs to be supplied. Whereas the US, Russia and Western countries are seeking 1,200kg, some Iranian officials to include Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai say the maximum amount Iran needs to supply is 350 kg of 3.5 percent enriched uranium. Some sources also inform us of the government's willingness to supply 800 kg of 3.5 percent enriched uranium in exchange for receiving 116 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium. - Iranian experts emphasize separating the two issues of the confidence-building measures sought by the US of Iran's providing 1200 kg of its own uranium from the separate issue of buying TRR fuel. DUBAI 00000495 003.2 OF 003 -Many Iranian officials, to include the Majlis Speaker Larijani, the Expediency Council Secretary Rezai, Judiciary Head Larijani and some credible institutions like the Tehran Society of Combatant Clerics believe that Iran's providing 1200 kg of its own 3.5 percent enriched uranium in exchange for receiving TRR fuel is an American trick and trap. These officials suggest that Iran must demand suspension of the UNSCR Resolutions in exchange for delivering its own uranium, and that the issue of providing TRR fuel be carried out within a technical framework and far from political issues and the interference of international powers. - Supreme Leader Khamenei in his 13 Aban (November 3) speech decisively rejected Iran's entering into negotiations the outcome of which have been previously mandated by the US. EYREAE