Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09WINDHOEK65
2009-02-26 12:00:00
SECRET
Embassy Windhoek
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS: NO SALE OF URANIUM TO IRAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHWD #0065 0571200 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 261200Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0355 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0137 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0218
S E C R E T WINDHOEK 000065
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN (RNEPHEW),IO/T, NEA; AND AF/S (EPELLETREAU)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019
TAGS: EMIN, ENRG, ETTC, IR, KNNP, MNUC, PARM, WA, TRGY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS: NO SALE OF URANIUM TO IRAN
REF: WINDHOEK 63
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DENNISE MATHIEU for 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T WINDHOEK 000065
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN (RNEPHEW),IO/T, NEA; AND AF/S (EPELLETREAU)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019
TAGS: EMIN, ENRG, ETTC, IR, KNNP, MNUC, PARM, WA, TRGY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS: NO SALE OF URANIUM TO IRAN
REF: WINDHOEK 63
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DENNISE MATHIEU for 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On February 25, Ambassador Mathieu met with Prime
Minister Nahas Angula and requested a clarification of his
recent statement regarding the possibility of uranium sales
to Iran (reftel). Angula explained that he was not fully
cognizant of UNSCR 1737 at the time he was interviewed by The
Namibian newspaper, and consequently, he hedged his response
so that Namibia would not become embroiled in a political
dispute between the U.S. and Iran. Adding that he had been
fully briefed on the provisions of UNSCR 1737 following his
comment, Angula confirmed that Namibia would abide by UNSCR
1737 and would not sell uranium to Iran.
2. (S) He further stated that uranium sales were conducted in
accordance with commercial contracts executed by Rossing
Uranium Limited, with oversight by the Ministry of Mines and
Energy. He noted that although Iran owned 15% of Rossing,s
shares, Iran had not made a request to purchase any uranium
products. (Note: Rossing shareholders have no uranium
product off take rights, and the Government of Namibia has
51% of voting rights.)
3. (S) Comment: While Namibia has not publicly condemned
Iran,s nuclear activities, we are satisfied with the Prime
Minister,s explanation and believe the GRN,s position
remains unchanged: it will comply with UNSC resolutions.
Therefore, we do not believe a general demarche on Iran to
the GRN in New York or Windhoek is warranted at this time.
In previous discussions with Rossing management, Ambassador
has been assured that Rossing has no intention of selling
uranium to Iran either. If the Department has specific
information about possible front companies for Iran, however,
post suggests that that information be conveyed to the GRN
and Rossing immediately.
MATHIEU
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN (RNEPHEW),IO/T, NEA; AND AF/S (EPELLETREAU)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019
TAGS: EMIN, ENRG, ETTC, IR, KNNP, MNUC, PARM, WA, TRGY
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS: NO SALE OF URANIUM TO IRAN
REF: WINDHOEK 63
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DENNISE MATHIEU for 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On February 25, Ambassador Mathieu met with Prime
Minister Nahas Angula and requested a clarification of his
recent statement regarding the possibility of uranium sales
to Iran (reftel). Angula explained that he was not fully
cognizant of UNSCR 1737 at the time he was interviewed by The
Namibian newspaper, and consequently, he hedged his response
so that Namibia would not become embroiled in a political
dispute between the U.S. and Iran. Adding that he had been
fully briefed on the provisions of UNSCR 1737 following his
comment, Angula confirmed that Namibia would abide by UNSCR
1737 and would not sell uranium to Iran.
2. (S) He further stated that uranium sales were conducted in
accordance with commercial contracts executed by Rossing
Uranium Limited, with oversight by the Ministry of Mines and
Energy. He noted that although Iran owned 15% of Rossing,s
shares, Iran had not made a request to purchase any uranium
products. (Note: Rossing shareholders have no uranium
product off take rights, and the Government of Namibia has
51% of voting rights.)
3. (S) Comment: While Namibia has not publicly condemned
Iran,s nuclear activities, we are satisfied with the Prime
Minister,s explanation and believe the GRN,s position
remains unchanged: it will comply with UNSC resolutions.
Therefore, we do not believe a general demarche on Iran to
the GRN in New York or Windhoek is warranted at this time.
In previous discussions with Rossing management, Ambassador
has been assured that Rossing has no intention of selling
uranium to Iran either. If the Department has specific
information about possible front companies for Iran, however,
post suggests that that information be conveyed to the GRN
and Rossing immediately.
MATHIEU