SECRET MESSAGE FORM R4DEO23 0812308 10 APRIL 2012 01 03 ROUTINE EF10: EF TO: SECRET B14: LIASON ADMIN REPORT CONTACT REPORT 11. DHOS EF21I4 12. SYRIA EF21I4: IRANIAN LS CONTACT REPORT 08I0512012 13. 1. The above refers. 2. Please find hereunder Liaison contact report referred to above. 3. Thank you for your attention. APPROVED BY: HOS EF21I4 END OF MESSAGE SECRET SECRET 2 STATE AGENCY FOREIGN BRANCH UNISON To COUNTRY MANAGER Reference Name of Liaison Service Iranian intelligence Representative Based In Syria Country islamic Republic of lran, based in Damascus - Syria Name of SSA FB member (H08) and Name of LS member(s) _(Council or) Date of meeting 08 MAY 2012 Place of meeting Embassy, Damascus Type of meeting (Personal/Telephone) Personal Documents exchanged (yes/no) NO if yes - Specify document(s) Other people/officials involved No initiator of contact SECRET SECRET 3 1.1 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9. Purpose The meeting was to introduce the H08 to _the Intelligence representative of the Islamic Republic of lran, Damascus, Syria), by Report The meeting took place on Tuesday 08 May 2012 at 10:00 at the iranian Embassy in Damascus. A discussion was held around the current situation in Syria. nformed the meeting that the Iranian Ambassador had within the pas wee me with the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, Minister MIKDAD, who seemed very optimistic on the Syrian situation. also informed the meeting that the Iranian Ambassador had recen - weeks ago) held a meeting with his Russian counterpart. The Russian Ambassador noted that until the end of the summer nothing will happen in Syria. The Russians believe that nothing wilt happen until the outcome of a report by Ko? Annan will be made. Further, they believe that if Arman condemns the Syrian regime this will be when the West will propose a new resoiution in the UNSC. However, the Russians ?rmly beiieve that the Annan initiative must be implemented and supported. Thus far only point 2 of the 6 point plan is being monitored. lso mentioned that lran has only met with the internal opposition groups. particular they have met with the (Hayat Tansiq ai-Wataniyah) National Coordinating Body/Committee The Head of the has also visited Iran on two occasions but the meetings were ?fruitiess?. The reason for this was that the internal opposition is not fully representative of alt opposition groups and the internal opposition groups were too weak. I onfirrned that the lranians have not met with any of the External opposition groups. He also confirmed that the Syrian government is fully aware of the meetings with the opposition and wants mediation efforts to take place. He further mentioned that the Syrian government is serious to move forward with reforms. -further noted that the Syrian population have ?legat demands? but that the reform process has to be carried out by the current government. oted that the Economic situation in Syria is deteriorating day-by- 2-10- ay. as nowledged that the sanctions continue to add to this problem. He identified key areas of concern, these included, Gas, Electricity and inflation. Further he noted that Syria was facing a 4 sided sanctions, this was from Turkey, the USA, the EU and from certain Arab countries. SECRET 2.11. 2.12. 2.13. 2.14. 2.15. 2.16. SECRET 4 did however con?rm that Iran has plans to and are supporting the yrian government in this regard. *lso noted that most Syrians were not supporting the opposition nor were ey supporting the government. These people were all ?witnessing? what was happening and will wait for whoever succeeds. He referred to this group as the ?sitent majority". _lso mentioned that the security situation in Syria was very concerning and this placed severe limitations on the movement of Iranians. He said that they were confined to Damascus and did not leave the Damascus area due to safety concerns. On the issue of lranlUSA ialks ?n energy) to be held in Baghdad at the end (23?25) May 2012, con?rmed that the moving of the talks to Baghdad was a "gain" for Iran. Iran felt that break-troughs should not be made in Istanbul. However there were positive steps achieved in Istanbul. The lstanbul talks were a victory to Iran in the sense that there was agreement that Iran has a right to nuclear energy for civilian use. In Baghdad Iran will cooperate and a deat is expected. The Arab League has called a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Cairo to discuss unity. This meeting will take place, in two weeks from this date. The external and internai opposition organizations have been invited to attend. On the current discourse with the fthe Iranian president to the disputed islands in the Gulf mssened that there is a misunderstanding in the Gulf as uted islands fall. He further intimated that the said islands belong to lran. it is Iranians who reside there. Thank you for your attention. END OF MESSAGE APPROVED BY: HOS EF21I4 SECRET