US embassy cable - 05PRETORIA4419

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Identifier:	05PRETORIA4419
Wikileaks:	View 05PRETORIA4419 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Pretoria
Created:	2005-11-02 11:47:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PARM PREL ETTC SF
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 004419 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S, NP/ENCP 
NSC FOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2015 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, ETTC, SF 
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: WASSENAAR MEMBERSHIP 
 
REF: A. STATE 182243 
     B. PRETORIA 4375 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Gayleatha B. Brown.  Reasons 1.4(b) 
and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Following up on CDA's discussion with Deputy Foreign 
Minister Pahad (ref B), DepPolCouns presented ref A materials 
to DFA Deputy Director for Nuclear Disarmament and 
Non-Proliferation Michiel Combrink on November 2nd.  Combrink 
was surprised and pleased to learn of the U.S. decision to 
support South Africa's membership in the Wassenaar 
Arrangement.  He stated the SAG had no objection in principle 
to the proposed exchange of notes, adding that although the 
draft dipnote texts would have to go through the normal 
internal vetting processes, he didn't see anything in the 
suggested language that appeared problematic. 
 
2.  (C) COMMENT:  The South African bureaucracy moves slowly, 
but the SAG has a strong interest in joiing Wassenaar, and 
Combrink has a well-earned reputation for efficiency.  We 
expect to be able to conclude the required exchange of notes 
prior to the December plenary meeting.  END COMMENT. 
 
HARTLEY