MOBILIZING PRESSURE ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM:

UNCLAS MANILA 000241 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM IR UNSC RP SUBJECT: MOBILIZING PRESSURE ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM: PHILIPPINE VIEWS REF: STATE 9124 ¶1. (SBU) Political-External chief delivered Reftel demarche on Iran's nuclear program to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA was represented by Donna Rodriguez, Director of the Office of Political, Security, and Legal Matters in the international organizations bureau, and Rona Goce, Principal Assistant to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference (NPT RevCon) Chair, Ambassador Libran Cabactulan. Rodriguez replied that addressing Iran's nuclear program is an important issue for DFA because, among other reasons, the issue will surely be raised during the NPT RevCon in May. She also pledged to present the demarche to Foreign Minister Romulo and convey his views to post. ¶2. (SBU) In a separate meeting, Americas Office Director Deena Amatong told Pol-Ext chief that Iran's nuclear program was high on the DFA's list of priorities. She implied, but did not say explicitly, that her Government had raised the issue with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki during his November 2009 visit to Manila. BASSETT