PAKISTAN'S RESPONSE: PREPARING FOR SYRIA AT MARCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000452 SIPDIS PASS TO RICHARD NEPHEW AND JODY DANIEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL SY IAEA SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S RESPONSE: PREPARING FOR SYRIA AT MARCH IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING REF: SECSTATE 16530 Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Post delivered reftel demarche on preparing for Syria at the March International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Director for Disarmament Mohammad Kamran Akhtar and Deputy Director Abbas Qureshi, on February 25. ¶2. (C) Akhtar sought clarification on why the United States was concerned about trace uranium discovered at Syria's Miniature Neutron Source Reactor site. In response to Post argument that the materials discovered were undeclared, Akhtar said in this case it is important that IAEA inspectors be allowed to follow their investigatory mandate. Pakistan seeks stability and peace in the region, Akhtar emphasized, and resolution of Syria's alleged clandestine activities through the IAEA. ¶3. (C) Akhtar cautioned that pushing for a resolution at the Board of Governors meeting might negatively politicize the Director General's report, further discouraging Syria to cooperate. He encouraged the United States to seek a cooperative resolution with Syria. PATTERSON