O 300055Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5504
INFO NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000365
STATE FOR ISN/RA AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018
TAGS: PREL MNUC TRGY NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND WILL NOT ATTEND IRANIAN-SPONSORED
NUCLEAR ENERGY CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 112229
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Margaret B. McKean; Reason 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) In response to reftel, PE Counselor contacted
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Iran Desk Officer
Marina Anderson on October 22 to inquire as to New Zealand's
possible attendance at the November 30 conference. Anderson
explained that New Zealand had not received an invitation and
the GNZ was unaware of the conference; P/E Counselor outlined
the information in reftel and Anderson offered to let the
Embassy know the GNZ position once and invitation was in
hand.
2. (C) On October 29, PE Counselor asked Anderson for a
status report on the issue; Anderson responded that New
Zealand has still not been contacted by the Iranian
government concerning the conference and anticipates that
Tehran is well aware of New Zealand's opposition to nuclear
energy, lack of domestic expertise on the issue, and unlikely
attendance; thus, Anderson believes that New Zealand likely
does not factor into the GOI's invitation list. She opined
that even if Tehran did extend an invitation, the GNZ would
not attend for historical policy reasons opposing nuclear
energy. Anderson said she would inform the Embassy if an
invitation arrives, but again, does not anticipate that there
will be one.
McCORMICK