GEORGIA: MFA UNSURE OF ROLE OF IRAN EXPORT BANK IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000032 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020 TAGS: ENRG ETRD PREL IR GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MFA UNSURE OF ROLE OF IRAN EXPORT BANK IN HYDROPOWER PROJECT REF: STATE 132579 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Kent Logsdon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Charge d'affaires delivered ref A talking points to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Nalbandov on January 6 noting that the USG was concerned about any possible energy deals with Iran, and urged that Georgia not seek Iran or Iranian businesses as partners. The Charge also expressed concern about recent Iranian press reports (Tehran Times) noting Iranian Export Development Bank (EDBI) financing of an Iran-Georgia hydropower deal -- a change in what post had understood from previous Georgian assurances that the EDBI was not involved in the deal and the financing was coming from a private Iranian firm. The Charge reminded Nalbandov of our July 2009 demarche conveying our concern about the EDBI. ¶2. (C) The Charge noted that Georgian FM Vashadze was planning to visit Iran in mid-January and there was great interest in the visit and concern about possible agreements that might be concluded during the meeting. He urged Nalbandov to keep the Embassy apprised of planning for the visit. ¶3. (C) Nalbandov responded that he knew nothing about the role of the bank as reported in the press and would seek information from the Minister of Energy. Post will report further information on the role of the bank as it emerges. Nalbandov also undertook to provide the embassy a schedule for FM Vashadze's upcoming visit to Tehran. LOGSDON