EU3-IRAN - FRENCH READOUT OF PARIS AGREEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000472

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NP, EUR/WE, AND T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2015
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL IR FR
SUBJECT: EU3-IRAN - FRENCH READOUT OF PARIS AGREEMENT
WORKING GROUP MEETINGS, JANUARY 17-18

REF: LONDON 000539 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reason 1
.4 B and D


1. (C) We met January 24 with MFA A/S-equivalent Director for
Strategic Affairs and Disarmament Philippe Carre, who
travels to Washington January 26-28 for consultations in the
Department, the NSC, and DOD/OSD. In response to our
questions on the EU3-Iran January 17-18 talks, Carre gave us
a readout similar to the one the British provided to Embassy
London (reftel). Carre also noted that the UK would soon be
providing a briefing on the Iran talks to the G8.


2. (C) Carre confirmed that the workings of the nuclear group
were key to the overall talks and that its conclusions took
precedence over the other two working groups
(political/security and technology cooperation). In this
respect, none of the working group meetings produced much, he
stated, although he cautioned that this was still among the
first in a series of monthly meetings. Based on existing
contacts, Carre concluded that the Iranians were not ready to
make progress in the nuclear working group. In the
political/security group, the EU3 did not go along with
Iranian efforts to limit counter-terrorism discussions to
just Al-Qaeda and the MEK. In the technology group, the
Iranians asked for help with airplane technology, but the EU3
deferred as this was linked to the U.S. embargo on Iran and
the EU3 has avoided discussing the U.S. with Iran.


3. (C) Returning to the discussions on the nuclear working
group, Carre was downbeat on the outcome of talks to date
since the Iranians are "not ready or willing to make
concessions." He expressed the hope that they could move
forward as talks gather momentum and as the Iranians begin to
understand that the EU3 is not seeking to create problems for
them. For now, Carre added, the EU3 have been very clear on
the importance of indefinite suspension. It was also clear,
however, that the Iranians would only be prepared to suspend
enrichment activities when they are ready, and not in
reaction to any "carrots" that the EU3 might offer. During
Foreign Minister Barnier's recent visit to Moscow, he
discussed Iran with them as the Russians are pushing a
similar line on the need for indefinite suspension. "What we
are trying to do is to reinforce how serious we are in the
EU, but we are uncertain of the outcome of the Iran talks,"
Carre said.


4. (C) Carre ventured that the internal dynamics in Iran are
very important -- not everyone in Iran is looking for a
successful outcome, while those doing the negotiating have to
demonstrate that they haven't given in to the interests of
the west. The March elections in Iran are likely influencing
the discussions, he added. Meanwhile, with respect to the
U.S. approach, French Political Director Laboulaye and his
EU3 colleagues are seeking greater U.S. engagement, hence
their own trip to Washington this week. The EU3 does not
believe that failure of the negotiations is in anyone's
interest. While we must remain skeptical of Iranian
intentions, skepticism by itself is not a policy, he
cautioned.
Leach