WikiLeaks: U.S. Concerned Over Swiss Iran Plan
Leaked U.S. embassy cables show American diplomats were concerned that Switzerland's unilateral efforts in nuclear negotiations with Iran had sent a "wrong message" and undercut international pressure on the Islamic republic.
The cables obtained by WikiLeaks and published Sunday by German magazine Der Spiegel reveal U.S. displeasure at what was perceived as unhelpful Swiss interference in the delicate nuclear issue.
A 2008 cable apparently written by the then-U.S. ambassador in Bern, Peter R. Coneway, said that the so-called "Swiss Plan" backed by Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey seemed mainly aimed at raising her own profile.
The cable, marked "confidential," describes Washington's relationship with Switzerland as "correct and cordial," noting that the country's long tradition of neutrality has been helpful when the Swiss acted as intermediaries in diplomatic disputes.
But the document says that since Switzerland represents American consular interests in Tehran - including on several occasions when U.S. citizens were detained in Iran - attempts by senior Swiss diplomats to open separate negotiations with the country on the nuclear issue had undermined international efforts.
"The foreign ministry has pursued its own 'Swiss Plan,' which has on several occasions sent the wrong message to Iran given the Swiss protecting power mandate for the U.S.," the cable said.
"While many Swiss clearly understand and take seriously the threat that Iran's dangerous nuclear program represents to our mutual interests, FM Calmy-Rey has apparently seen in this dispute an opportunity to raise her own profile," it adds.
The cable said that the Swiss Plan, along with Calmy-Rey's visit to Tehran in March 2008 to secure a natural gas contract for Swiss firm EGL, "have surely given Iran some reason to believe that it can continue to resist pressure to meet its international obligations."
A Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman declined to immediately comment on the cables.
Their release comes days after Switzerland hosted a third round of talks in Geneva between Iran and six world powers aimed at resolving concerns about its nuclear program. The U.N. Security Council has imposed sanctions on Iran in an effort to make the country stop uranium enrichment, which Iran insists it is doing only for civilian purposes.