Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS4349
2005-06-20 17:11:00
SECRET
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

GOF SUPPORTIVE OF SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE ON THE

Tags:  PREL IZ SY FR 
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S E C R E T PARIS 004349 

SIPDIS

RIYADH PLS PASS TO A/S WELCH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015
TAGS: PREL IZ SY FR
SUBJECT: GOF SUPPORTIVE OF SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE ON THE
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQ

REF: STATE 114212

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T PARIS 004349

SIPDIS

RIYADH PLS PASS TO A/S WELCH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015
TAGS: PREL IZ SY FR
SUBJECT: GOF SUPPORTIVE OF SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE ON THE
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQ

REF: STATE 114212

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (S) We delivered the Secretary's oral message on the
International Conference on Iraq to FM Douste-Blazy's Cabinet
Advisor on Middle East and UN Affairs Christophe Guilhou and
separately to MFA DAS-equivalent for Iraq/Iran/Arabian Gulf
Affairs Antoine Sivan June 20. Guilhou welcomed the
Secretary's message, and confirmed that the GoF had no

SIPDIS
intention of receiving Syrian officials on the margins of the
June 22 Brussels meeting, nor had Syria requested any such
meetings. Guilhou stressed that the GoF was maintaining its
policy of limiting contact with the Syrian government to its
bilateral embassy in Damascus. He conceded that the GoF had
earlier considered reevaluating this policy, depending on the
outcome of Lebanon's parliamentary elections, but the
assassination of Lebanese journalist and French dual national
Samir Kassir had hardened the GoF position against upgrading
contact with Damascus.


2. (S) MFA DAS-equivalent Sivan expressed general GoF
agreement with reftel points, particularly on the need for
the international community to urge Iraqis to reject violence
and support an inclusive political process. Sivan also
concurred on the need for the international community to
deliver tough messages to Damascus on the need to honor its
commitments under UNSCR 1546 and do more to support Iraq.
Sivan added, however, that it was also in Iraq's interest to
try and build better ties with its neighbors. For this
reason, the GoF would have preferred for Iraq's neighbors to
have been included at the June 1-2 Cairo preparatory meeting
for the International Conference, which would have more
closely associated all of Iraq's neighbors, including Syria,
with the goals of the gathering.
WOLFF