US embassy cable - 05BUENOSAIRES184

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000184 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NP/RA EYTHAN SONTAG; L/NP JULIE HERR; AND L/LEI DENISE 
MANNING 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015 
TAGS: EWWT, KNNP, KTIA, MNUC, PARM, PHSA, PREL, AR 
SUBJECT: GAINING ARGENTINE SUPPORT FOR U.S. 
NONPROLIFERATION AMENDMENTS TO THE SUA CONVENTION 
 
REF: STATE 14491 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U)  Polcouns met on January 26 with Ambassador Carlos 
Sersale, director of the Argentine MFA's Office of 
International Security, Nuclear and Space Affairs, to deliver 
talking points in reftel.  Also attending the meeting was 
Ariel Gonzalez of the MFA Legal Advisor's Office who will be 
representing the GOA at the upcoming International Maritime 
Organization Legal Committee meeting. 
 
2. (C)  Ambassador Sersale was already well versed on the 
substance of the U.S. amendments to the SUA and said the GOA 
had the same objectives and was ready to provide support. 
Sersale's only caveat to the dual-use transport amendment was 
that it be worded in such a way that did not interfere with 
legitimate international trade, giving as an example the 
shipment of radioactive waste.  He stated if the amendment 
were not constructed properly, some countries might attempt 
to use it as an excuse to deny passage of such material, 
which Argentina considers a legitimate business. 
 
3. (C)  Sersale firmly supported the point that dual-use 
transport offense should apply to both state and non-state 
actors.  He described the Indonesian proposal as 
"nonsensical" and not consistent with UNSCR 1540. 
 
4. (C)  Sersale also added the GOA would push at the meeting 
for a speedy resolution of the discussions.  He said that 
some nations (he mentioned India and Pakistan in particular) 
were seeking a delay on amending the SUA until a consensus 
could be reached.  Sersale said the GOA would support moving 
ahead even without consensus. 
GUTIERREZ