IRAN-EU3: FRENCH RESPONSE TO U/S BOLTON'S LETTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000920 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR T, NP AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2015 TAGS: KNNP PARM FR SUBJECT: IRAN-EU3: FRENCH RESPONSE TO U/S BOLTON'S LETTERS ON IRAN REF: STATE 23725 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1 .4 B/D ¶1. (C) Late on 11 February, French MFA Political Director Stanislas de Laboulaye's office provided us with an advance copy of Laboulaye's response to U/S Bolton on the issue of Iranian violations of the November EU3 agreement with Iran. We were told a hard copy would follow under cover of diplomatic note. We faxed the text of letter on 11 February to U/S Bolton's office. (Note: In a separate conversation last week with Laboulaye's special assistant, he indicated that EU3 Political Directors have not been planning a coordinated response to U/S Bolton's letter. End Note.) ¶2. (C) Begin text of letter from Political Director Laboulaye: Dear John, I would like to thank you for the recent letters you sent me regarding the situation in Iran, and the current state of the nuclear talks the Europeans are conducting with this country. I have taken careful note of your concerns regarding recent developments in Iran. I can assure you that we are fully aware of these concerns. As you will know, the Working Group on Nuclear Issues, which France is heading, has been meeting yesterday and today in Geneva, within the framework of our negotiations on long-term arrangements. We have taken this opportunity to discuss these questions with the Iranian side. We have also been carrying out specific demarches in Tehran. I look forward to discussing this matter further, as well as the North Korean issue, when we meet in London on Monday. Best regards, signed Stanislas de Laboulaye End text. Leach