IAEA GC: INITIAL GUIDANCE ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 079781

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2019
TAGS: AORC PREL PARM KNNP IAEA EG IS
SUBJECT: IAEA GC: INITIAL GUIDANCE ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

REF: A. UNVIE 333

B. UNVIE 326

Classified By: The Deputy Secretary, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 3-5.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


2. (C) Department greatly appreciates Mission's
recommendations and continued efforts toward overcoming the
longstanding Arab/Israeli dispute over Middle East issues at
the IAEA General Conference (GC). Egyptian-led Arab Group
inflexibility on this issue distracts significantly from
priority compliance-related Middle East safeguards issues
(particularly international concern over Iran's and Syria's
nuclear programs),positions the IAEA Board poorly to address
these issues appropriately in advance of the 2010 NPT Review
Conference, and prevents the General Conference from focusing
on other pressing IAEA business. Department understands that
a successful resolution of the dispute over Middle East
issues at the GC will be hard-fought, and will require
significant and sustained efforts in both Vienna and
capitals.

--------------
OBJECTIVES
--------------


3. (C) Mission is requested to pursue the following
objectives regarding Middle East issues in advance of the
September 2009 IAEA General Conference:

-- Demonstrate USG commitment to a consensus outcome at the
General Conference on Middle East issues. As EU support
remains essential to the success of any approach,
constructive engagement on the Middle East debate (and a
general acknowledgement of a good-faith effort on the part of
the United States to resolve this issue) is critical to
achieving a favorable outcome on these issues specifically
and a productive General Conference more broadly.

-- Urge Egypt and Israel to once again work together on a
mutually acceptable resolution that could be adopted by
consensus, as opposed to the acrimonious debate that has
characterized this issue and preoccupied the Conference since

2006.

-- Explore options with likeminded missions on new approaches
to Middle East issues at the GC.

--------------
ACTION REQUEST
--------------


4. (C) Mission is requested to proceed with its suggestion
(ref A) to initiate a discussion with Israeli and likeminded
(Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden as EU President)
officials and solicit their views on new approaches to Middle
East issues at the General Conference, in particular the
possibility of pursuing a single resolution on the Middle
East that would satisfy all concerned. The pursuit of a
substantive solution that could be agreed on by consensus
should be emphasized, vice mere procedural moves to
outmaneuver the Arab Group once again through parliamentary
motions. As suggested, thoughts on merging the least
objectionable language in the "Israeli Nuclear Capabilities"
resolution, (and/or borrowing pertinent language from the
1995 NPT RevCon Resolution on the Middle East) with the
consensus "Middle East Safeguards" resolution should be
solicited, as well as Israeli thinking on suggestions for an
IAEA "Forum on the Middle East" in line with past proposals.
Mission should seek further guidance on the basis of these
consultations.


5. (C) With Israel, Mission may note that Washington believes
such a resolution should also contain language highlighting
international noncompliance concerns in the region. Israel
should be advised, however, that in order for the Arab League
to seriously consider such an approach, Israel would likely
need to be seen as willing to accept language explicitly
referencing its nuclear activities in return for Arab
support. Mission should continue to seek Israeli redlines in
this regard, noting that in the context of maintaining EU
support, our goal would be to craft a single resolution
proposal that truly demonstrates Israeli flexibility (without
crossing Israeli redlines),so that any Arab rejectionism is
seen appropriately. Israeli redlines should be solicited.
Agreement on such a single resolution at the General
Conference would significantly advance the Middle East agenda
within the IAEA and establish a new and positive precedent on
these issues in advance of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.

--------------
REPORTING DEADLINE AND POCs
--------------


6. (SBU) Mission is requested to report any substantive
responses as they are received. Jody Daniel (ISN/RA,
202-647-9486) and Richard Nephew (ISN/RA, 202-647-7680) are
the POCs for this activity.
CLINTON