Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS4920
2005-07-15 16:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH RESPONSE ON JULY 18 GAERC

Tags:  EAID PREL IR LE SY TU UZ FR UN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004920 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015
TAGS: EAID PREL IR LE SY TU UZ FR UN
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON JULY 18 GAERC

REF: STATE 124856

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004920

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015
TAGS: EAID PREL IR LE SY TU UZ FR UN
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON JULY 18 GAERC

REF: STATE 124856

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) We delivered reftel points on July 6 to Caroline
Ferrari, sous-directeur for EU External Relations, and
Jean-Louis Falconi, Chief of the MFA's CFSP unit. We
discussed the points with Ferrari on July 8 and with Falconi
on July 15.

Turkey
--------------


2. (C) Ferrari noted that she expected that negotiations for
EU accession would begin as scheduled on October 3, but
highlighted again that this would be a long process.

UN September HLE
--------------


3. (C) Falconi noted that the Europeans had already stated
their position on the HLE at their June 16-17 European
Council (available at www.eu2005.lu) -- at which they noted,
among other conclusions, that Africa is a development
priority for the Europeans; that they had decided on a new
collective EU target of a ratio of 0.56 percent of Official
Development Assistance to Gross National Income (ODA/GNI),
which would result in an additional 20 billion euros a year
for development assistance from the EU; and that the EU
remains determined to find an agreement on the scope and
arrangements for further multilateral debt relief, while it
welcomed the G8 agreement to grant 100 percent debt relief to
the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries. Falconi also noted that
EU External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will make
a presentation at the September event.

Syria/Lebanon
--------------


4. (C) Falconi mentioned that Terje Roed-Larsen would be
reporting to the foreign ministers on the situation in
Lebanon. He said the preoccupations for the Europeans are 1)
to to consolidate Lebanese sovereignty 2) not to pressure
Syria too toughly too publicly; 3) to end the blockade of the
Lebanese border. Falconi said that the Europeans are quite
firm with Syria, but that they believe that they must deal
with Damascus in a low-profile manner so as not to harden the
Syrians' position. He said that the West must sensitize
Syria to its responsibilities in the region, especially
vis-a-vis implications for terrorism. Ferrari also remarked
on the differing positions of the U.S. and France on Syria,
noting "you know we do not agree with you," implying that the
French will support forward movement on Syria's Association
Agreement.

Iran
--------------


5. (C) On Iran, Falconi noted that the French were also
surprised by Ahmedinejad's victory, but said, "He's there
now" and that it would be counter-productive to address him
in a defiant tone before seeing how he performs. He said the
French would advocate a wait-and-see attitude for that
reason. He also noted that the EU3 are in the midst of
preparing their offer for the Iranians, confirming that it
would contain the red line that the Iranians could not resume
enrichment of uranium. He said the EU3 offer would be
"transparent and honest," and that if the Iranians refused
the package, their intent would be clear. He repeated that
the Europeans need strong international (read: U.S.) backing
for their efforts.

Uzbekistan
--------------


6. (C) Falconi called the EU position on Uzbekistan "pretty
firm" while characterizing the U.S. position as "ambiguous,"
contrasting that with the solidarity that he said is
necessary from all actors in the region to press for reform.
He noted that new OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de
Brichambaut is slated to make his initial visit to Uzbekistan
by the end of July, and said the French will reserve any
judgment on whether to invoke the Moscow Mechanism until
after they have heard his report. Falconi conceded that
several member states believe that the EU should harden its
position against Karimov, but said that their relative
firmness thus far has yet to bear any fruit.

Middle East
--------------


7. (C) Falconi said the EU will condemn the deteriorating
security situation. He noted that the violence is
counter-productive for the Palestinians and for their efforts
to establish strong relations between the Israelis and Abbas.
Even if Abbas criticizes the attacks, he said, they are a
fact. Falconi said the Europeans will support Special Envoy
Wolfensohn in his long-term plan to assure the viability of a
Palestinian state. He said that the dynamic that exists now
for change must not be stopped.
STAPLETON