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Cablegate: Australia Plans to Implement Unscr 1737 Sanctions

VZCZCXRO5104
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHBY #2044 3620649
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280649Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6574
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE IMMEDIATE 3688
RUEHBAD/AMCONSUL PERTH IMMEDIATE 2162
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY IMMEDIATE 1680

UNCLAS CANBERRA 002044

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN, IO, NEA AND EAP.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MNUC KNNP IR AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA PLANS TO IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1737 SANCTIONS
ON IRAN

REF: STATE 202585

1. (U) In a media statement released December 24, Australian
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer affirmed that Australia
would proceed to implement sanctions on Iran's nuclear and
missile programs, in accordance with the terms of UN Security
Council Resolution 1737. He noted specifically the
requirement to ban assistance and trade related to Iran's
uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, and ballistic
missile program, as well as travel notification and asset
freeze measures of individuals and entities providing
proliferation-related support. Full text of the statement is
at para 3, below.

2. (SBU) We also furnished reftel non-paper to Octavia
Borthwick, Director of the Middle East Section, Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade, on December 28. Borthwick
appreciated hearing U.S. views on UNSCR 1737, noting they
closely paralleled Australian views. She referred us to FM
Downer's earlier statement, and reiterated that Australia
endorsed fully the UNSC action. She expressed confidence
that Australia would be able to meet the 60-day reporting
requirement (in OP 19 of the resolution) on its progress in
implementing the terms of the resolution.

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3. (U) Following is the text of Foreign Minister Downer's
December 24 media statement on UNSCR 1737.

Begin text:

Australia to Implement UN Security Council Resolution on Iran

The unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council on 23
December 2006 of a firm resolution imposing sanctions on
Iran's nuclear and missile programs underscores the
international community's commitment to addressing concerns
about Iran's nuclear activities.

The adoption of resolution 1737 follows Iran's failure to
comply with Security Council Resolution 1696 which made
mandatory the suspension of all Iran's uranium enrichment and
reprocessing activities.

Australia will now be proceeding to implement the terms of
the resolution. These include a ban on the provision of
assistance and the sale, transfer or procurement of certain
military and dual-use items related to Iran's uranium
enrichment and reprocessing activities, and ballistic missile
program. Resolution 1737 also places measures in relation to
travel and an assets freeze on persons or entities designated
by the Security Council as providing support to proliferation
sensitive nuclear activities and the development of nuclear
weapon delivery systems.

All UN member states are obliged to implement the sanctions
imposed by the United Nations Security Council. At the same
time, all sanctions contained in resolution 1737 are
reversible should Iran suspend its uranium enrichment and
reprocessing activities.

Australia fully endorses the Security Council conviction that
Iran's suspension of all uranium enrichment and reprocessing
activities as well as full, verified compliance with the
requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Board of Governors will contribute to a diplomatic,
negotiated solution.

As I have said previously, this is not a case of questioning
Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy. Australia supports
the right of all parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty that comply faithfully with their non-proliferation
commitments to peaceful nuclear energy.

The onus is now on Iran as a responsible member of the United
Nations to abide by all Security Council decisions and
cooperate fully with the IAEA to prove without doubt that its
nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

End text.

OWENS

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