AMBASSADORS DENNIS ROSS AND SUSAN RICE DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000589 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2019 TAGS: PREL ZP IR IS UNSC SUBJECT: AMBASSADORS DENNIS ROSS AND SUSAN RICE DISCUSS IRAN WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Rice and Special Advisor for the Gulf and Southwest Asia Ambassador Dennis Ross on June 9 met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to explain key elements of U.S. diplomatic outreach to Iran and to hear Ban's assessment. Ambassador Ross explained that President Obama in various fora and particularly from Cairo has made it clear that the USG will engage Iran without any preconditions. He emphasized, however, that the USG is cognizant that the process will be difficult because, despite numerous common interests, more than 30 years have passed without a systematic line of communication with Iran. Ambassador Ross said that every administration since 1979 has failed to successfully engage with Iran, but he pointed out the urgency in reaching a diplomatic settlement because of the region's fears of Iran's nuclear program. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Ross said the USG values the P5 1 structure for dealing with Iran because it is a statement of the international community's resolve to deal with the nuclear issue in a coordinated fashion, and he said the USG will be a full participant in the P5 1 structure. Despite its importance, Ambassador Ross said the USG aims to engage Iran bilaterally, because that would allow for a broader treatment of the issues, which is more difficult to achieve in a multilateral context. The SYG said it is good to continue with the P5 1 structure for now, but if its effectiveness wanes the U.S. should be prepared to take the reins. Moreover, the SYG said the Iranians had asked that he persuade the Europeans to change their negotiating team, principally Javier Solana, because of an apparent loss of confidence in him. He said he delivered this message to Solana. ¶3. (C) No engagement, however, should dismiss the fact that Iran is currently sanctioned under three UNSC resolutions, Ambassador Ross highlighted; international consensus should not be ignored. Ambassador Ross said that the USG is not interested in denying Iran its right to nuclear energy, which it can enjoy under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, but with those rights comes responsibilities. ¶4. (C) Ambassadors Ross and Rice emphasized to Ban that Iran must seize the moment now to answer positively the overtures from the U.S. Ambassador Ross highlighted the moral authority of the SYG's office in delivering a reinforcing message. Ban said he does so every time he meets with Iranian officials, and he offered UN assistance at the appropriate time to further dialogue. Ban said he welcomed President Obama's speech in Cairo as a strong diplomatic initiative, which he said bolstered his standing with Iran and regional actors. Despite Iran's unhelpful behavior at times, Ban said the UN is working with Iran on various peacekeeping and development programs. He said the UN recently has opened a liaison office in Tehran for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and plans to open a similar office in Tehran for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Ban said he has plans to send UN Undersecretary-General Lynn Pascoe to Iran but he has not set a date. ¶5. (C) The SYG pointed out that he has insisted to Iranian officials and President Ahmadinejad in particular that they soften verbal attacks against the United Nations and against him. Ban said Iranian officials generally dislike his message, and the Government of Iran has openly criticized him. He said, however, that he personally intervened with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki and told him that a "low-level spokesperson" should not attack the SYG in the press and that if Mottaki or Ahmadinejad have a problem with the SYG they should tell him directly and in private. RICE