GEORGIA: FM VASHADZE ON NEXT STEPS WITH IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000147 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 TAGS: PREL ECON EINV PGOV IR GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: FM VASHADZE ON NEXT STEPS WITH IRAN REF: A. SECSTATE 09124 ¶B. TBILISI 90 ¶C. 09 TBILISI 1211 ¶D. 09 SECSTATE 70201 ¶E. 09 TBILISI 1738 ¶F. 09 SECSTATE 132579 ¶G. TBILISI 0032 Classified By: Ambassador John Bass for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador discussed the summary of next steps on Iran (ref A) with FM Vashadze on January 31, noting that the new demarche echoed our discussions prior to Vashadze's January 18-19 visit to Tehran (ref B). The Ambassador outlined that the West was prepared to move forward on the steps previewed earlier in the month. Vashadze appreciated the update and indicated Georgia would continue to proceed cautiously in its relationship with Iran. Vashadze asked if the demarche timing meant we had secured Russian and Chinese agreement to a new resolution; the Ambassador deflected by noting the timing hinged more on the absence of a constructive Iranian reaction to the IAEA,s TRR proposal and Washington,s conclusion that any future success on the engagement track now hinged primarily on increasing the cost to Tehran of flouting the international community. ¶2. (C) Turning to a familiar theme, Vashadze opined that Turkey would be a complicating factor in any new sanctions regime, especially in the context of its deep trade relationship with Russia and its interest in brokering links between Tehran and the West. The three countries were returning to old form in viewing the Caucasus and broader surrounding region as an area in which their interests should predominate, rather than those of countries in the area or the broader international community. ¶3. (C) Vashadze asked us to flag early any concerns over the limited amount of current Georgian-Iranian trade, or other investments/specific commercial deals. He reiterated that the hydropower deal announced in the Tehran Times in January involved a straight commercial purchase of turbine equipment (refs C-G). BASS