Cablegate: New Zealand Supports Strong Statements On Iran,

O 252342Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5556
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C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000397

STATE FOR EAP/ANP, ISN/RA AND IO/T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2023
TAGS: MNUC PREL KNNP IAEA PARM NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND SUPPORTS STRONG STATEMENTS ON IRAN,
SYRIA AT BOG MEETING

REF: STATE 123074

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Margaret B. McKean; Reason 1.4 (b) an
d (d)

1. (C) On November 25, Pol/Econ Counselor met with Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade International Security and
Disarmament Division Chief Joan Mosley and Deputy Director
Jillian Dempster to discuss the recent IAEA reports on Iran
and Syria, ongoing TACC discussions and next steps in Vienna.
Mosley assured the USG that the GNZ finds both reports
disturbing, and said that New Zealand agrees with and shares
USG concerns. New Zealand plans to deliver strong statements
on both countries at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting.

2. (C) Regarding Syria and the Technical Assistance and
Cooperation Committee (TACC), New Zealand does not contribute
to the TACC and therefore does not anticipate playing a high
profile role in those discussions. New Zealand desires a
"satisfactory" outome on Syria (i.e., an outcome that is
acceptable to the majority of Board members). Mosley
indicated that feedback from Vienna through MFAT channels
indicates that the TACC discussions are largely at an impasse
and little consensus is foreseen. MFAT believes that the
issue will go to the Board of Governors. Mosley noted that
New Zealand, having just elected a new government, does not
yet have clear policy guidance from new Foreign Minister
Murray McCully, Minister for Disarmament Georgina Te Heuheu
and other relevant ministries. She acknowledged that New
Zealand will be constrained in its actions until the new
government has read in and had a chance to discuss the policy
papers forwarded to the new ministers. Mosley said that the
New Zealand mission in Vienna and MFAT had developed language
for use in the upcoming statements at the BOG without
appropriate clearance from the new government given that
there is still a transition taking place.

McCORMICK

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