Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TBILISI32
2010-01-08 15:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
GEORGIA: MFA UNSURE OF ROLE OF IRAN EXPORT BANK IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSI #0032 0081512 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081512Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2684 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 4274 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 2076 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 2437
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)
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
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