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.


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