COUNCIL REVIEWS IRAN SANCTIONS COMMITTEE PROGRESS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000244 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM IR UNSC MNUC ETTC KNNP SUBJECT: COUNCIL REVIEWS IRAN SANCTIONS COMMITTEE PROGRESS, MONCHEGORSK USUN NEW Y 00000244 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 10, the chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee updated the UN Security Council on the Committee's activities over the last ninety days, including its actions to respond to the discovery of arms-related materiel being shipped from Iran to Syria in violation of UNSCR 1747. Amb. Rice expressed concern over Iran's continued refusal to comply with its international obligations regarding proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities and she supported the steps the Iran Sanctions Committee has taken to respond to the violation of UNSCR ¶1747. Rice also noted that while the United States will continue to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons, the United States is also prepared for principled engagement with Iran. The United Kingdom and France each delivered strong statements of concern over troubling elements in the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the clear violation of UNSCR 1747. Libya expressed a desire to see all Member States comply with international nuclear non-proliferation regulations, including Israel. At the end of the meeting, the Iranian UN mission distributed a letter asserting that its cooperation with the IAEA had exceeded its treaty obligations. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On March 10, Japanese Perm Rep Takasu, chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee (1737 Committee),briefed the Council on the activities of the committee over the past ninety days. These activities, he reported, included clarifying aspects of the sanctions regime to interested states, approving its 2008 annual report and receiving a notification from Russia concerning the delivery of items for use in the Iranian nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Takasu noted also that the Committee received a letter from a Member State seeking guidance with respect to a vessel found to be carrying arms-related materiel in violation of UNSCR 1747. On March 9, he reported, the Committee sent letters to the concerned Member States inviting them to provide within ten working days any additional information regarding this transaction. ¶3. (SBU) Amb. Rice noted that the IAEA Director General's most recent report indicated that Iran is not complying with its international obligations, including resolutions of the Council, with respect to proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities. She expressed hope that the Iran Sanctions Committee will take appropriate action under its mandate to address the Iranian government's attempt to transport arms-related materiel to Syria, (including considering how the ship's cargo should be disposed of or destroyed,),and requested that the Committee redouble its efforts to ensure full and robust implementation of UNSCR 1737, 1747 and 1803. Rice said the United States will not waver in its determination to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons, but that the United States also sees a chance for the Iranian government to unclench its fist and begin a serious, responsible discussion about a range of issues. ¶3. (SBU) France Perm Rep Ripert also emphasized troubling elements of the latest IAEA report, noting that the Iranians have refused to give access to their reactor at Arak or implement various transparency measures. He also called on the Iranian government to re-evaluate its behavior and make the necessary gestures to restore international confidence. Ripert expressed France's gratitude to Cyprus for taking a "responsible course of action" by retaining the cargo of the Monchegorsk, and encouraged all Member States to remain active and vigilant in responding to future sanctions violations. ¶4. (SBU) UK Perm Rep Sawers also expressed concern over Iran's nuclear activities, including its refusal to suspend heavy water projects and uranium enrichment. He called on Iran to implement the IAEA measures and Additional Protocol, advising the international community to make clear to Iran that "its choices have a cost." Sawers referred to the Monchegorsk incident as a "clear violation" of UNSCR 1747 and said the UK looked forward to hearing explanations from Iran and Syria. ¶5. (SBU) Libyan charge Dabbashi encouraged Member States to engage in dialogue towards a comprehensive long-term solution for peace and nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East, including through engaging in direct negotiations with Iran. He expressed frustration that the IAEA had not considered Israel's refusal to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. USUN NEW Y 00000244 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. (SBU) After the meeting, the Iranian UN mission circulated a letter (emailed to IO) stating that Iran has always been a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and that Iran's cooperation with the IAEA had gone far beyond its treaty obligations. In the letter, Iran denounced the "distortions" made against its nuclear program by the United States, United Kingdom, and France and expressed the opinion that the IAEA reports clearly attest to the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Rice