date:2006-05-19T04:56:00
source:Embassy Wellington
origin:06WELLINGTON387
destination:VZCZCXYZ0012 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHWL #0387 1390456 ZNY CCCCC
ZZH O 190456Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON TO RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY
WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2799

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000387

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR S-1 S-2 AND NA-1: BROOKS/AOKI/FREMONT
NA-20: BAKER/BLACK
NA-23: TURNER/CHACEY
STATE FOR EAP/ANP, EUR/RUS, AND EB/ESC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2016
TAGS: ENRG, PARM, OTRA, RS, KNNP, TRGY, NZ
SUBJECT: MOU WITH NEW ZEALAND REGARDING ZHELEZNOGORSK POWER
PLANT

REF: STATE 78792

Classified By: DCM David R. Burnett,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (U) On May 18, 2006, PolCouns shared the revised MOU and
talking points provided reftel with Deborah Panckhurst of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) Disarmament
Division. Panckhurst said that she has also been in contact
with DOE's Mike Stafford about this issue. MFAT will
respond to our changes once the Ministry lawyer involved with
the MOU, Caroline Bilkey, has reviewed it.

2. (C) Panckhurst said NZ officials are concerned they will
face public and opposition criticism if they cannot visit a
taxpayer-funded assistance project. DOE has provided some
indication that other donors have accepted similar
restrictions, but additional information would be very
helpful.

3. (C) We have also told Panckhurst that Embassy is willing
to approach opposition parties at the highest levels as
needed, to urge that they not make a political issue of this
important project.
McCormick