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