LITHUANIA SUPPORTS USG POSITION ON IRAN NUCLEAR

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000510 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA (NEPHEW) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA SUPPORTS USG POSITION ON IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM REF: A. SECSTATE 100153 ¶B. VILNIUS 504 ¶1. (U) As requested by Charge September 29 in his meeting with Political Director Eitvydas Bajarunas, the MFA on September 30 issued the following statement of concerns about Iran's nuclear program in support for action at the October 1 meeting in Geneva. ¶2. (U) Begin text. Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its serious concern for the recently revealed information about the construction of the second Iranian uranium enrichment plant and Iran's trials of missile, carried out this weekend and on Monday. We support the efforts of the five UN Security Council permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Russia) and Germany to convince Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program, to obey its international commitments and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Lithuania supports the European Union, the United States and the international community's effort to involve Iran in negotiations, and the use of measures of pressure - sanctions - if it appears necessary, in order to persuade Iran's authorities to comply with its obligations. We believe that the Geneva meeting with Iran involving China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the U.S., which will take place on 1 October, is a good opportunity to demonstrate Iran's willingness to respect its international obligations and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. As a sign of good will, it would open the way for broader international cooperation in weapons of mass destruction proliferation control and would enable countries to develop civilian nuclear energy, not nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference next year will become a good opportunity to seek diplomatic solutions and to comply with international obligations and requirements. End text. LEADER