IRAN: SLOVENIA WILL SUPPORT EU CONSENSUS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000034 NOFORN SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION NEA/FO FOR ELISA CATALANO AND ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2020 TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IR SI SUBJECT: IRAN: SLOVENIA WILL SUPPORT EU CONSENSUS ON SANCTIONS, ADDITIONAL MEASURES MAY REQUIRE MORE EFFORT Classified By: CDA Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on February 3 to Tadej Rupel, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Middle East section. Rupel noted that the EU would likely back tougher measures if the UN Security Council did not adopt stronger sanctions against Iran. The EU does not plan to make an early public push on such measures, however, so as not to "spoil the game in the UN." Rupel said that with France chairing the UNSC, a push for sanctions could come in the lead-up to the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May. Rupel mentioned that Slovenia's exports to Iran were not currently affected by sanctions, and any new measures would not likely limit that trade. (Note: Slovenia's exports to Iran include mechanical devices, boilers, electrical engines, pharmaceuticals, and chemical products. End Note.) He also highlighted that the February 2nd statement from Iran about accepting the enrichment proposal was likely just a way to "buy more time," rather than a sincere response. ¶2. (C/NF) Comment: We may have to push Slovenia quite a bit harder when it comes to national or EU measures against Iran. In addition to its desire to address serious human rights concerns in the region, Slovenia's position on Iran and other Middle East issues is influenced by two important factors: economic ties to export markets for Slovenian goods and services, and Slovene President Danilo Tuerk. The President's 13 years in New York, first as Slovenia's PermRep and then as ASG for political affairs, clearly shaped his views on a number of issues, nowhere more so than when it comes to the Middle East. While he would not elaborate, Rupel grudgingly hinted at Tuerk's informal influence on Slovene policy toward Iran, despite the President's limited constitutional role in foreign policy. If push comes to shove, Slovenia's bid for a Security Council seat in 2012 may provide some leverage for us on this and other issues (e.g.the Goldstone report). FREDEN