Cablegate: Unmovic/Unscr 1762: Moving Forward

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UNCLAS STATE 095569

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IAEA IZ
SUBJECT: UNMOVIC/UNSCR 1762: MOVING FORWARD

REF: A. 07 STATE 37753
B. DANIEL-RIES EMAILS

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In response to Iraqi Minister for Science
and Technology Raad Fahmy's request to discuss the path to
eventual normalization regarding Iraq's civil nuclear
industry, including the ultimate lifting of relevant UNSCR
obligations, this cable outlines the steps necessary for Iraq
to undertake in order to meet the highest standards of
international nonproliferation norms. The United States is
committed to actively assisting Iraq in meeting these
objectives, and thereby establish international confidence in
its civil nuclear plans. Further clarifying Iraq's interest
in civil nuclear applications will help frame discussion and
facilitate consideration of potential future cooperation.
END SUMMARY.

2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: While UNSCR 1762 terminated UNMOVIC and
IAEA mandates under relevant resolutions, it did not relieve
Iraq of its disarmament obligations under previous UNSCRs,
including restrictions over Iraq's engagement in nuclear
activities. UNSCR 1762 also invited Iraq to report to the
Security Council, within one year from the date of its
adoption on June 29, 2007, on the progress it has made on
nonproliferation. Iraq was informed (ref A) that, while the
U.S. understands Iraq has made progress on non-proliferation
matters through its commitments to comply with its
obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and
its IAEA Safeguards Agreement, it is the USG view that Iraq
must continue to take further steps to meet the highest
standards of international nonproliferation norms, and
participate in and fully support the international
nonproliferation regime.

3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Baghdad is requested to
convey to Minister Fahmy the list of actions in paragraph
four needed to establish confidence in Iraq's support of the
highest standards of international nonproliferation norms.
The United States supports Iraq's desire to have all Chapter
VII resolutions pertaining to it, including UNSCRs addressing
arms control and nonproliferation requirements, lifted, but
UNSC action will require members' confidence that the
restrictions are no longer necessary. Embassy Baghdad may
wish to suggest Iraq produce public reports, where
appropriate, outlining efforts concerning the following items
to help the international community recognize the progress
Iraq has made toward complying with international
nonproliferation norms.

4. (SBU) The United States is committed to actively assisting
Iraq in meeting the following objectives, and thereby
establishing international confidence in Iraq's civil nuclear
plans. The Department stands ready to discuss the following
in greater detail should Iraq require assistance in achieving
these aims:

-- Sign and bring into force an Additional Protocol to its
IAEA safeguards agreement;

-- Develop export controls and practices in line with
internationally recognized regimes such as the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia Group,
Nuclear Suppliers Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement;

-- Strictly comply with its obligations under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, its IAEA Safeguards agreement, the
Biological Weapons Convention (including national
implementing legislation), and the 1925 Geneva Protocol on
Use in War of Poisonous Gases or Bacteriological Methods of
Warfare;

-- Adhere to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel
Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management;

-- Comply with the Code of Conduct for Safety and Security
for Radioactive Sources;

-- Adhere to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for
Nuclear Damage;

-- Subscribe to the International Code of Conduct Against
Ballistic Missile Proliferation;

-- Become a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention;

-- Become a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat
Nuclear Terrorism;

-- Commit, if Iraq chooses in the future to pursue civilian
nuclear power, to rely on existing international markets for
nuclear fuel services as an alternative to the pursuit of
enrichment and reprocessing;

-- Report to the Security Council on nonproliferation
progress as invited in UNSCR 1762.

5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST CONT: Department also requests
Embassy inquire into the specific plans of the Ministry of
Science and Technology with respect to future civil nuclear
activities, as this will help guide U.S. consideration of
future cooperation, including evaluation of relevant U.S.
legal restrictions. Post may note that current programs,
such as the Nuclear Facility Dismantlement and Disposal
Project, provide an opportunity for Iraq to develop important
legal regimes and institutional frameworks that may be built
on for future cooperation.
RICE

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