Journalicious Dots from Switzerland

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR P (SGUHA), E, ISN/RA (KKESSLER), IO/T
(HVONBEHREN), AND EUR/AGS (YSAINT-ANDRE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2027
TAGS: MNUC KNNP ETTC IR SZ
SUBJECT: FM CALMY-REY “TAKES NOTE” OF USG CONCERNS
REGARDING IRAN/IAEA AND IRAN/EGL

REF: A. STATE 124823

¶B. GUHA-CARTER E-MAIL (07SEP07)
¶C. BERN 860
¶D. STATE 123352

Classified By: Charg d’Affaires a.i. Leigh Carter; reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 

——-  SUMMARY  ——-

¶1. (S) Per instructions in reftel A, CDA met FM Calmy-Rey on  the evening of September 7 to discuss USG concerns regarding  the handling of the Iran case at the September 10-14 IAEA  Board of Governors (BOG) meeting (reftels C/D). As requested  in ref B, CDA also took the opportunity to raise USG  objections to a pending natural gas deal between Swiss firm  EGL and Iran. Calmy-Rey replied that Switzerland does not,  as a general rule, discuss the Iran “dossier” in public,  given its broader commitments and roles in dealing with Iran  (e.g., as “protecting power” for the USG). Regarding the EGL  natural gas deal issue, she remarked that EGL is a private  company, and the Iran deal is very important to it. However,  she went on to say that she takes note of USG concerns,  particularly with regard to the timing of the deal in the  broader political context. Throughout the meeting, Calmy-Rey  was cordial but succinct and generally non-committal in her  reaction to our messages. (Meeting Participants: Poloff  accompanied CDA as notetaker. FM Calmy-Rey, also  concurrently the Swiss Federal President, was joined by  Yvonne Baumann, Head of the MFA’s Western Hemisphere  Division, and by Jean-Daniel Praz, Deputy Head of the MFA’s  Nonproliferation and Arms Control Division.) End summary.

———  IRAN/IAEA  ———

¶2. (S) CDA delivered the message in reftel A, noting that  Switzerland presumably would be elected to the IAEA Board of  Governors (BOG) later this month, and emphasizing the  importance of the international community speaking with one  voice in insisting that Iran meet it obligations on both the  IAEA and UNSC tracks. Calmy-Rey “took note” of USG concerns  and said that she would study the matter. She commented that  Switzerland was not yet on the BOG, so would not be in a  position to make a statement at the September 10-14 BOG  meeting. Poloff observed that public statements by   BERN 00000881 002 OF 002    like-minded states reiterating Iran’s obligations would be  useful, even outside of the context of the BOG. Calmy-Rey  replied that Switzerland does not, as a general rule, discuss  the Iran “dossier” in public, given its broader commitments  and roles in dealing with Iran (e.g., as “protecting power”  for the USG).

—————–  IRAN/EGL Gas Deal  —————–

¶3. (S) CDA underlined the points in ref B, observing that EGL  moving ahead with the Iran natural gas deal would have a  severe negative effect on the international community’s  efforts to keep the pressure on Tehran to achieve a  diplomatic solution. Calmy-Rey remarked that EGL is a  private company, and the Iran deal is very important to it.  However, she went on to say that she takes note of USG  concerns, particularly with regard to the timing of the deal  in the broader political context. She concluded by saying  that the GOS is “preoccupied” with the matter and would  review USG concerns.

——-  COMMENT  ——-

¶4. (C) Calmy-Rey agreed to the Friday evening meeting in  response to our request for an appointment before September  10 (reftel A). She was cordial but succinct and generally  non-committal in her reaction to our messages. Post will  continue to reiterate our concerns on these matters at  appropriate opportunities with other Swiss officials.

CARTER