VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHWL #0200 1820353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300353Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5300
INFO RUCNNSG/NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP PRIORITY
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0022
UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000200
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KNNP KTIA NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO CONVENTION ON
SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE
REF: STATE 54213
1. (SBU) A senior policy analyst from the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT contacted Pol/Econ Counselor
on June 26 with an interim response to reftel demarche. She
noted that her office has sought detailed advice from a New
Zealand expert, who is also part of the IAEA's expert group
on nuclear technology (INLEX). So far, they have not
received a comprehensive response.
2. (SBU) In general, New Zealand is very supportive of the
Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) and welcome
the USG decision to ratify the Convention. There are many
aspects of the instrument that New Zealand regards
positively, including increased compensation limits, new
heads of damage, etc. New Zealand, however, has difficulties
with the CSC's requirement for non-nuclear states which are
party, and sit above the UN's minimum scale, to contribute in
the event of any incident. New Zealand's INLEX expert
reportedly has raised these concerns before and MFAT believes
that the USG is aware of the New Zealand government position
on this issue. The GNZ is also conscious that the CSC
ratification process is in an early stage and entry into
force relies on some of the large nuclear power generating
nations coming on board.
3. (U) Post will report further substantive responses from
the GNZ on this issue.
MCCORMICK