Cablegate: Iran Press/Nuclear: French-Iran Disagreement Causes Delay Of

VZCZCXRO4595
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDIR #0444 2931307
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 201307Z OCT 09
FM RPO DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0576
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DIA FT BELVOIR
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHDIR/RPO DUBAI 0577

UNCLAS RPO DUBAI 000444

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR PARM
SUBJECT: IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR: FRENCH-IRAN DISAGREEMENT CAUSES DELAY OF
DAY TWO VIENNA TALKS?

1. (U) October 19 Iranian press reports of the first day of
Vienna IAEA negotiations cited IAEA Director General's
characterization of the talks as "very constructive" and "a good
start." However other Iranian press, to include two October 19
'PressTV' pieces titled "Iran Rejects 'Direct Talks' with France
in Vienna," and " France Removed From Iran Uranium Suppliers,"
cited "a source close to the meeting" as saying that Iran would
not hold direct talks with France in Vienna on the purchase of
highly-enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).
This source was quoted as saying that:

- "France has failed in its responsibilities regarding nuclear
cooperation with Iran and continues to create obstacles in the
process of negotiations between Iran and the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); "

- "Iran will not hold direct talks with France in Vienna for
failing to deliver its nuclear materials in the past." (Comment:
Western press cites sources in Tehran as saying that France
could no longer be trusted due to its unwillingness to deliver
50 tons of UF6 gas, despite Iran's ten percent ownership of the
French Uranium enrichment company Eurodif. End Comment)

Subsequently, October 20 ISNA reporting quoted "sources close to
the Vienna discussions" as saying that France's
non-participation in the consortium of countries providing fuel
to the Tehran Research Reactor was "definite."

DAY TWO DELAY?

----------------------

2. (U) Again citing "sources close to the Vienna negotiations,"
another October 20 ISNA piece reported that "French disruptions"
were causing the delay of the start of the second day
discussions. This source ascribed France's "destructive
efforts" to "scuttle the negotiations" to its being omitted from
the arrangements to supply fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor.
The source said France's actions lead to both disagreements
between the US and Russia and between France and these two
countries on the other, in addition to leading to consultations
with IAEA head Al-Baradei.

3. (U) A subsequent October 20 ISNA report quoted "sources close
to the Vienna negotiations" as saying that the delay of the
second day discussions was related to a change in the text of
the draft agreement, and France's elimination from it. This
source cited "serious efforts" by the French representative at
the talks to pressure IAEA Director General Al-Baradei to
prevent any type of agreement for the provision of fuel to Iran.
This ISNA report said that as of 1400 hours Tehran time the
Vienna talks had still not started due to French pressure on the
IAEA Director General, and again cited French "negative and
destructive efforts" as causing disputes between the American
and Russian delegations on the one side and the French
delegation on the other side.

EYREAE

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