EXPANDING THE CHORUS ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000901 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2019 TAGS: MNUC KNNP PARM IAEA PREL AORC SN IR SUBJECT: EXPANDING THE CHORUS ON IRAN REF: SECSTATE 95073 Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) In response to reftel instructions, CDA met with MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan on September 15 and called on Singapore to sound the alarm to Iran on sanctions. CDA used the general and the Singapore-specific points from reftel to urge that Singapore find opportunities on the margins of UNGA, during NAM meetings, and at the IAEA General Conference to highlight to Iran the concern that, should Iran decide not to engage in meaningful dialogue with the P5 1/E3 3 about its nuclear program, Iran will likely face additional, harsher sanctions. ¶2. (C) Kausikan responded that Singapore takes note of, and will carefully consider, the USG message. Singapore has already made clear to Iran the need for the Iranians to honor fully their international obligations. The Iranians can have no possible doubt where Singapore stands on the issue, he said. Kausikan suggested that the USG encourage Indonesia and Malaysia, which are seeking better relations with the United States, to make their own positions clearer to Iran. CDA said the USG is urging any country that can make a difference to speak up to the Iranians on these issues. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS