INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 004712 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KNNP ENRG TRGY MU SA BA KU TC JO QA MO AG TS EG, LY, IZ SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP" REF: 09 STATE 120803 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: The United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the United States Department of State are sponsoring a Regional Energy Planning and Nonproliferation Workshop in Muscat, Oman, from May 9 to 13, 2010 (see reftel). The United States Government values opportunities like this workshop for peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The event, sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS),will (1) raise awareness of key elements of energy planning by providing participants with a basic overview of various energy options, including renewable forms of energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy; (2) help participants understand the implications of particular energy choices, including the need for associated infrastructure development; (3) provide explicit understanding of the nexus between nuclear energy and nonproliferation, linking this option to relevant global norms and responsibilities; and (4) identify specific topics for follow-on bilateral and other forms of engagement. Three representatives each from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates will be invited to participate in this seminar. A representative from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency will also be invited to attend. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) BACKGROUND: The United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the United States Department of State (DOS) are sponsoring an energy planning and nonproliferation workshop in Muscat, Oman, from May 9 to 13, 2010. The United States Government values opportunities like this workshop for peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The event, sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS),will be a follow-on activity to the March 2009 Middle East Infrastructure Preparedness Workshop, held in Amman, Jordan. During the energy planning session of the March 2009 Workshop, several participants expressed an interest in learning more about energy planning and the tools available for modeling. In response to this interest, INSEP organized a pilot energy planning workshop in September 2009 in Amman, Jordan, to determine the best model for a regional workshop, and to provide training to individuals in Jordan who will serve as co-instructors for the May 2010 course. ¶4. (U) Following the pilot workshop, INSEP outlined the following four objectives for an international energy planning course: (1) raise awareness of key elements of energy planning by providing participants with a basic overview of various energy options, including renewable forms of energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy; (2) help participants understand the implications of particular energy choices, including the need for associated infrastructure development; (3) provide explicit understanding of the nexus between nuclear energy and nonproliferation, linking this option to relevant global norms and responsibilities; and (4) identify specific topics for follow-on bilateral and other forms of engagement. ¶5. (U) INSEP and PNS plan to invite three participants each from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates to participate in the event. A representative from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency will also be invited to participate in the STATE 00004712 002 OF 003 SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHO workshop. The current draft of the workshop agenda includes five days of activities, beginning on a Sunday, and lasting from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM daily. INSEP and PNS will cover the costs of those attending the workshop from outside of the host country, as well as logistical support during the event. Note that some of the more affluent Gulf States (e.g., UAE and Qatar) have declined these funds for previous DOE/NNSA workshops. END BACKGROUND. ¶6. (SBU) BEGIN ACTION REQUEST: FOR ABU DHABI, AMMAN, DOHA, RABAT, ALGIERS, TUNIS, TRIPOLI, BAGHDAD ONLY Using the points contained in paragraph 7, Embassy is requested to identify and invite appropriate English speaking nuclear energy planning officials in Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. DOE/NNSA and DOS have identified several candidate participants and can communicate those to Post, if requested. A written copy of the points may be left with host nation contacts. Participation from all invited states will help ensure a successful seminar and Embassy assistance in requesting responses is greatly appreciated. FOR AMEMBASSY CAIRO, RIYADH, KUWAIT CITY, MANAMA ONLY During the January 2010 Department of State-led delegation to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, head of delegation, Dr. Alex Burkart, will personally deliver the invitation. Embassy is requested to conduct follow-up with relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate English-speaking nuclear energy planning officials are invited to attend. FOR AMEMBASSY MUSCAT ONLY During the January 2010 Department of State-led delegation to Oman, head of delegation, Dr. Alex Burkart, will personally express USG support for Oman's offer to host this workshop. Embassy is requested to conduct follow-up with relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate English-speaking nuclear energy planning officials are invited to attend. END ACTION REQUEST. ¶7. (U) BEGIN TALKING POINTS: Title: Regional Energy Planning and Nonproliferation Workshop --The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) are sponsoring an International Energy Planning and Nonproliferation Workshop from May 9 to 13, 2010, in Muscat, Oman. --The United States Government values opportunities like this workshop for peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. --The event will be sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS) and is a follow-on activity to the March 2009 Middle East Infrastructure Preparedness Workshop, held in Amman, Jordan. --The objectives of the workshop are to: (1)raise awareness of key elements of energy planning by providing participants with a basic overview of various energy options, including renewable forms of energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy; (2) help participants understand the implications of particular energy choices, including the need for associated infrastructure development; (3) provide explicit understanding of the nexus between nuclear energy and nonproliferation, linking this option to relevant global norms and responsibilities; and (4) identify specific topics for follow-on bilateral and other forms of engagement. --The workshop will be conducted in English over five days STATE 00004712 003 OF 003 SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHO and will include approximately 30 participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Middle East, North Africa, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency. --INSEP and PNS will cover the costs of those attending the workshop from outside of the host country, as well as logistical support during the event. --For more information, please contact Matthew Van Sickle at matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or at 202-586-2859. --We appreciate your consideration of participation in this event. END TALKING POINTS. ¶8. (U) Embassy is requested to provide response to Mr. Matthew Van Sickle DOE/NNSA/NA-242 at matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or 202-586-2859 by February 19, 2010. Embassy assistance in proposing this energy planning and nonproliferation workshop is greatly appreciated. CLINTON