AUSTRALIA FEELS WELL-INFORMED ON NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000067 SIPDIS NOFORN ISN FOR AMBASSADOR BONNIE JENKINS AND AMBASSADOR SUSAN BURK E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020 TAGS: PARM EAID TBIO IAEA AORC ENRG MNUC PGOV AS SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA FEELS WELL-INFORMED ON NUCLEAR CONFERENCES REF: SECSTATE 5891 Classified By: POL/ECON COUNSELOR EDGARD D. KAGAN FOR REASONS 1.4(B)(D) ¶1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Australia has been very happy with the level of dialogue in advance of the Nuclear Security Summit and NPT Review Conference (RevCon). Officials clearly understand the distinction between the two and what the United States hopes to accomplish at each. Some worry that Thailand's exclusion from the conference would adversely affect the relationship with the Australia and the United States. Australia is eager to play a larger role on nuclear security issues and is open to suggestions about how they can contribute. END SUMMARY. Happy to be In the Loop -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) Australia is pleased with the amount of information exchange and coordination in advance of the Nuclear Security Summit and the NPT review conference. Officials fully understood the distinctions between the two conferences outlined in the reftel demarche. Jane Hardy, Director of the Arms Control Section at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),and sous-Sherpa Stephan Bayer both said they had been kept up to date on planning for the conferences through various channels. Thailand -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) Australia has some slight reservations about Thailand's exclusion from the Nuclear Security Summit. Hardy said that Thailand is an important Australian ally in the region and sees itself as a major player on nuclear issues. Australia frequently works with Thailand to promote Australian and U.S. policies to more difficult countries in the region. Hardy worries that not including Thailand in discussions will jeopardize this relationship over time. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Australia recognizes that it is not one of the main players on nuclear issues, but is eager to do more. Officials would be open to suggestions on how they could help advance the U.S. agenda prior to the two conferences, especially within Southeast Asia. BLEICH