IRAN/EU3: GUARDED FRENCH REACTION TO U/S BOLTON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000103 SIPDIS STATE FOR T, NP AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2015 TAGS: PARM KNNP PREL FR SUBJECT: IRAN/EU3: GUARDED FRENCH REACTION TO U/S BOLTON LETTER TO EU3 POLDIRS REF: A) 2004 STATE 272394 B) 2004 PARIS 9123 C) 12/22/04 PELZ E-MAIL Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reason 1 .4 b/d ¶1. (C) On January 5, MFA Disarmament Office Deputy Veronique Vouland informed us that the MFA had taken on board U/S Bolton's letter re Iranian processing activities (reftels). She said they had not been surprised by the letter, but she also did not indicate whether France agreed with our assessment. She indicated that as Political Director Laboulaye had only returned from leave on January 4, a decision had not yet been made on how to respond to U/S Bolton. The EU3 might respond individually or as a group, she added. Vouland then provided the same general readout of the December 17 Nuclear Working Group and the December 21 Political and Security Group meetings as provided by Embassy Berlin (ref C). (Note: while Vouland did not indicate how the French would address Iran's uranium conversion work, as raised by U/S Bolton in his letter, it was clear from our discussion that the French believe continued discussions with the Iranians are the way to go.) ¶2. (C) Vouland noted that for the next round of meetings, A/S-equivalent Director for Disarmament and Strategic Affairs Philippe Carre would represent France at the Political and Security Group meeting, DAS-equivalent Disarmament director Francois Richier would attend the Nuclear Working Group meeting, and DAS-equivalent director for the Middle East Department Antoine Sivan would cover the Technology and Economic development meetings. Leach