Cablegate: Invitation to Doe/Nnsa Event Entitled "Regional
VZCZCXRO0147
RR RUEHTRO
DE RUEHC #4712/01 0152328
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 152322Z JAN 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0295
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 4315
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 4633
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0800
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 4906
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 1882
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 7688
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA 7338
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT 1729
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8687
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 4676
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 3769
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 2081
INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 5983
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 004712
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KNNP ENRG TRGY MU SA BA KU TC JO QA MO AG TS
EG, LY, IZ
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL
ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP"
REF: 09 STATE 120803
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6.
2. (U) SUMMARY: The United States Department of
Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)
and the United States Department of State are sponsoring a
Regional Energy Planning and Nonproliferation Workshop in
Muscat, Oman, from May 9 to 13, 2010 (see reftel). The
United States Government values opportunities like this
workshop for peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party
to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The event, sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear
Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's
Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS), will (1) raise
awareness of key elements of energy planning by providing
participants with a basic overview of various energy options,
including renewable forms of energy, fossil fuels, and
nuclear energy; (2) help participants understand the
implications of particular energy choices, including the need
for associated infrastructure development; (3) provide
explicit understanding of the nexus between nuclear energy
and nonproliferation, linking this option to relevant global
norms and responsibilities; and (4) identify specific topics
for follow-on bilateral and other forms of engagement. Three
representatives each from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia,
Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates will be invited to
participate in this seminar. A representative from the
International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab Atomic Energy
Agency will also be invited to attend. END SUMMARY.
3. (U) BACKGROUND: The United States Department of
Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)
and the United States Department of State (DOS) are
sponsoring an energy planning and nonproliferation workshop
in Muscat, Oman, from May 9 to 13, 2010. The United States
Government values opportunities like this workshop for
peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party to the Treaty
on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The event,
sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and
Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's Partnership for Nuclear
Security (PNS), will be a follow-on activity to the March
2009 Middle East Infrastructure Preparedness Workshop, held
in Amman, Jordan. During the energy planning session of the
March 2009 Workshop, several participants expressed an
interest in learning more about energy planning and the tools
available for modeling. In response to this interest, INSEP
organized a pilot energy planning workshop in September 2009
in Amman, Jordan, to determine the best model for a regional
workshop, and to provide training to individuals in Jordan
who will serve as co-instructors for the May 2010 course.
4. (U) Following the pilot workshop, INSEP outlined the
following four objectives for an international energy
planning course: (1) raise awareness of key elements of
energy planning by providing participants with a basic
overview of various energy options, including renewable forms
of energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy; (2) help
participants understand the implications of particular energy
choices, including the need for associated infrastructure
development; (3) provide explicit understanding of the nexus
between nuclear energy and nonproliferation, linking this
option to relevant global norms and responsibilities; and (4)
identify specific topics for follow-on bilateral and other
forms of engagement.
5. (U) INSEP and PNS plan to invite three participants each
from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, and the United Arab
Emirates to participate in the event. A representative from
the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab Atomic
Energy Agency will also be invited to participate in the
STATE 00004712 002 OF 003
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL
ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHO
workshop. The current draft of the workshop agenda includes
five days of activities, beginning on a Sunday, and lasting
from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM daily. INSEP and PNS will cover the
costs of those attending the workshop from outside of the
host country, as well as logistical support during the event.
Note that some of the more affluent Gulf States (e.g., UAE
and Qatar) have declined these funds for previous DOE/NNSA
workshops. END BACKGROUND.
6. (SBU) BEGIN ACTION REQUEST:
FOR ABU DHABI, AMMAN, DOHA, RABAT, ALGIERS, TUNIS, TRIPOLI,
BAGHDAD ONLY
Using the points contained in paragraph 7, Embassy is
requested to identify and invite appropriate English speaking
nuclear energy planning officials in Algeria, Jordan, Libya,
Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.
DOE/NNSA and DOS have identified several candidate
participants and can communicate those to Post, if requested.
A written copy of the points may be left with host nation
contacts. Participation from all invited states will help
ensure a successful seminar and Embassy assistance in
requesting responses is greatly appreciated.
FOR AMEMBASSY CAIRO, RIYADH, KUWAIT CITY, MANAMA ONLY
During the January 2010 Department of State-led delegation to
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, head of delegation,
Dr. Alex Burkart, will personally deliver the invitation.
Embassy is requested to conduct follow-up with relevant
agencies to ensure that appropriate English-speaking nuclear
energy planning officials are invited to attend.
FOR AMEMBASSY MUSCAT ONLY
During the January 2010 Department of State-led delegation to
Oman, head of delegation, Dr. Alex Burkart, will personally
express USG support for Oman's offer to host this workshop.
Embassy is requested to conduct follow-up with relevant
agencies to ensure that appropriate English-speaking nuclear
energy planning officials are invited to attend.
END ACTION REQUEST.
7. (U) BEGIN TALKING POINTS:
Title: Regional Energy Planning and Nonproliferation
Workshop
--The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security
Administration (DOE/NNSA) and U.S. Department of State (DOS)
are sponsoring an International Energy Planning and
Nonproliferation Workshop from May 9 to 13, 2010, in Muscat,
Oman.
--The United States Government values opportunities like this
workshop for peaceful nuclear cooperation with states party
to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
--The event will be sponsored by DOE/NNSA's International
Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) and DOS's
Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS) and is a follow-on
activity to the March 2009 Middle East Infrastructure
Preparedness Workshop, held in Amman, Jordan.
--The objectives of the workshop are to: (1)raise awareness
of key elements of energy planning by providing participants
with a basic overview of various energy options, including
renewable forms of energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy;
(2) help participants understand the implications of
particular energy choices, including the need for associated
infrastructure development; (3) provide explicit
understanding of the nexus between nuclear energy and
nonproliferation, linking this option to relevant global
norms and responsibilities; and (4) identify specific topics
for follow-on bilateral and other forms of engagement.
--The workshop will be conducted in English over five days
STATE 00004712 003 OF 003
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO DOE/NNSA EVENT ENTITLED "REGIONAL
ENERGY PLANNING AND NONPROLIFERATION WORKSHO
and will include approximately 30 participants from the Gulf
Cooperation Council, the Middle East, North Africa, the
International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Arab Atomic
Energy Agency.
--INSEP and PNS will cover the costs of those attending the
workshop from outside of the host country, as well as
logistical support during the event.
--For more information, please contact Matthew Van Sickle at
matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or at 202-586-2859.
--We appreciate your consideration of participation in this
event. END TALKING POINTS.
8. (U) Embassy is requested to provide response to Mr.
Matthew Van Sickle DOE/NNSA/NA-242 at
matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or 202-586-2859 by February
19, 2010. Embassy assistance in proposing this energy
planning and nonproliferation workshop is greatly
appreciated.
CLINTON