Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TBILISI147
2010-02-02 15:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
GEORGIA: FM VASHADZE ON NEXT STEPS WITH IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO4290 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHSI #0147 0331514 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021514Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2805 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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).
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
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