DIPLOMATIC NOTE REQUESTING CONFIRMATION OF DOE

UNCLAS STATE 067033 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM AORC FR PTER PINR SUBJECT: DIPLOMATIC NOTE REQUESTING CONFIRMATION OF DOE ASSURANCE IN ORDER TO TRANSFER URANIUM IN SUPPORT OF NUCLEAR FORENSICS EXERCISE REF: STATE 005953 1-22-2009 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Paris. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: Washington informed Post per REF A that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) had sent a request for assurances to Mr. Jacques Figuet at the French Embassy in Washington to facilitate the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique's (CEA) request to participate in a nuclear forensics exercise in support of the International Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Nuclear Smuggling. The exercise will involve the transfer of between 10-14 grams highly enriched uranium under a contract with DOE to a CEA facility. Most importantly, DOE requested that the Government of France (GOF) provide assurances that the nuclear material would be used only for peaceful uses and exclusively for the purpose of this sampling exercise. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to pass to MFA a copy of the DOE letter to the French Embassy in paragraph 4 and confirm that the GOF is facilitating the request made in REF A in support of this important exercise. ¶4. (SBU) (Complementary Opening) Begin text of letter: Mr. Jacques Figuet Counselor for Nuclear Affairs Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 Dear Mr. Figuet: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA) has expressed an interest in participating in a nuclear forensics exercise in support of the International Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Nuclear Smuggling. The exercise will involve the transfer of between 10-14 grams of highly enriched uranium under a contract with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to their facility. Title will transfer to the Government of France for the exclusive use of participating in the ITWG exercise. Because the CEA laboratory is not considered an eligible facility for international safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),prior to the DOE entering into a contract with the laboratory to supply the enriched uranium for receipt, sampling and analytical analysis and reporting, the United States Government requests that the Government of France provide assurances to the DOE that the nuclear material will be used only for peaceful uses and exclusively for the purpose of this sampling exercise. Please confirm your receipt of this notice acknowledging the facility's responsibility to use this material for peaceful uses and exclusively for the purpose of the subject ITWG exercise, and furthermore, subject to a contract with DOE, the facility will account for the nuclear material in accordance with the contract to be executed between the DOE and the Government of France. You may confirm receipt by faxing or emailing a signed copy of this form to Mr. Sean Oehlbert. He may be reached at 202-586-3806 or sean.oehlbert@nnsa.doe.gov. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this matter. Sincerely, Richard. S. Goorevich Director Office of International Regimes and Agreements U.S. Department of Energy End text of letter. (Complementary Closing) ¶5. (SBU) REPORTING DEADLINE: Washington requests that Post respond via front-channel cable no later than July 7, 2009. ¶6. Washington appreciates Post's assistance. Contact Aryn Weinberg (lesterab@state.gov, 202-736-7695 in ISN/WMDT for additional information. CLINTON