US embassy cable - 02ROME2256

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002256 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NP/CBM, INR/SPM, EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2012 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, ETTC, ETRD, IR, IT, UN 
SUBJECT: ITALY ON IRAN'S PASTEUR INSTITUTE: NOTHING 
HAPPENING 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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REF: (A) STATE 75112 (B) STATE 83621 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: CLASSIFIED BY ECOUNS KAREN MILLIKEN; REASON 1.5 B/D. 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY.  ITALY AND IRAN HAVE BROKEN OFF NEGOTIATIONS 
THAT HAD BEEN AIMED AT LENDING ITALIAN KNOW-HOW TO VACCINE 
PRODUCTION EFFORTS AT IRAN'S PASTEUR INSTITUTE.   THE ITALIAN 
MFA REPORTS THAT IRAN BALKED AT THE STRINGENT INSPECTION 
PROVISIONS ITALY INSISTED BE INCORPORATED INTO ANY GOI-GOI 
AGREEMENT ON POINT.  MFA HAS SEEN NO SIGN THAT IRAN IS 
INCLINED TO RECONSIDER ITS REJECTION OF THE PROVISIONS, AND 
ITALY THEREFORE CONSIDERS THE MATTER CLOSED.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C)  INSPIRED BY SWITZERLAND'S CONCLUSION LAST YEAR OF A 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH IRAN (REF A) CONTEMPLATING 
SWISS EXPORTS AND TECH-TRANSFERS TO IRAN'S PASTEUR INSTITUTE 
( IPI), ITALY UNDERTOOK TO NEGOTIATE ITS OWN MOU WITH IRAN, 
MFA NONPROLIFERATION COORDINATOR UGO DE MOHR TOLD ECONOFF ON 
MAY 8.  DE MOHR SAID THE NEGOTIATIONS DIDN'T GET FAR BECAUSE, 
EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS "100 PERCENT CERTAINTY" THAT IPI WOULD 
PRODUCE ONLY BONA FIDE VACCINES, ITALY INSISTED ON INCLUSION 
OF VERY RIGOROUS GUARANTEES, INCLUDING RANDOM INSPECTIONS OF 
ALL FACILITIES BY ITALIAN EXPERTS, AND IRAN BALKED.  WHEN 
IRAN COUNTERED WITH A PROPOSAL FOR A LESS INVASIVE SET OF 
GUARANTEES, ITALY REPLIED, PER DE MOHR, THAT ITS ORIGINAL 
DEMANDS WERE NON-NEGOTIABLE, AND THE TALKS BROKE OFF. 
 
3. (C) HAD THE MOU TALKS SUCCEEDED, DE MOHR SAID, THE TWO 
GOVERNMENTS WOULD HAVE MOVED ON TO NEGOTIATION OF AN MOU 
ANNEX DETAILING THE FACILITIES INVOLVED AND INSPECTION 
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MODALITIES AND, FINALLY, TO THE SPECIFICATION OF ITALIAN 
TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNICIANS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO IRAN. 
WITH THE ACTUAL TALKS NEVER MAKING IT THROUGH THE MOU PHASE, 
DE MOHR DOESN'T SEE THE IDEA BEING RESURRECTED 
NOTWITHSTANDING CONTINUING INTEREST ON THE PART OF ITALIAN 
INDUSTRY. 
SEMBLER 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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 2002ROME02256 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL