US embassy cable - 05PARIS3796

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003796 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR T,NP AND EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015 
TAGS: PARM, KNNP, ENRG, LY, FR, IAEA 
SUBJECT: FRANCE TO HELP LIBYA WITH IAEA-MONITORED NUCLEAR 
PROGRAM 
 
REF: 2004 PARIS 8864 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot, Reason 1.4 B/D 
 
1. (C) Summary: In response to a Libyan request, France is 
studying how it might assist Libya with its Russian-built 
Tajoura plant.  No formal agreement has been signed yet, but 
Libyans have asked for assistance in producing radio isotopes 
for medical and industrial use, as well as aid in using the 
reactor to fuel a desalination plant.  The first step is for 
France to produce a feasibility study.  Eventual French 
assistance efforts, however modest, will be in line with 
Libya's commitments to the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA) and article IV of the NPT.  France is looking to 
consult with the U.S. on this project, as well.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) On May 31st, the MFA spokesperson confirmed that Libya 
had approached France for assistance with its nuclear program 
and that France, in line with Libya's renunciation of WMD and 
its ongoing cooperation with the IAEA, had agreed to explore 
how it could best assist.  We raised this assistance offer on 
June 1st with Hugues de Longevialle, MFA action officer 
following the issue, who confirmed that Libya had approached 
President Chirac during the latter's brief visit to Libya 
last November (reftel).  Since then, a delegation from the 
Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, France's atomic energy 
commission-equivalent, traveled to Libya in April and 
determined that Libya's Russian-built Tajoura reactor is old, 
but in good condition.  The IAEA, the U.S. and Libya are 
working on converting the plant from High Energy Uranium to 
Low Energy Uranium enrichment, we were told. 
 
3. (C) Longevialle noted that no agreement has been signed, 
but that France expects to move quickly to sign one during 
the summer.  France is preparing a feasibility study to 
assess how it can best respond to Libya's request for 
production of radio isotopes for medical and industrial usage 
and how to use the reactor to fuel a desalination plant. 
Another component of the likely French offer would be 
training for "radio-protection," presumably protection from 
radioactivity. 
 
4. (C) Our MFA interlocutor emphasized that the French intent 
is to assist Libya with a very modest and focused program, 
designed to address Libya's needs.  Libya, in turn, must stay 
the course with its commitments to the IAEA, which will 
continue to monitor Libyan facilities.  Longevialle noted 
that this French effort tracks with the U.S. approach to 
Libya and is in line with article IV of the NPT, which 
guarantees access to peaceful use of nuclear energy.  He 
noted that France would continue to consult with the U.S. on 
this program.  Libya, unlike Iran which has avoided 
transparency in its nuclear program, has earned our 
cooperation, he observed. 
 
5. (U) USLO Tripoli minimize considered. 
 
WOLFF