Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BERLIN3412
2006-12-01 14:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
DEMARCHE TO GERMAN MFA ON IRANIAN ELECTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO3970 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHRL #3412 3351424 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 011424Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6258 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEHDIR/IRAN RPO DUBAI
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 003412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR, LONDON FOR GAYLE, BAKU FOR HAUGEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM GM IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO GERMAN MFA ON IRANIAN ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 192971
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor John A. Bauman for reasons
1.4(b)/(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 003412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR, LONDON FOR GAYLE, BAKU FOR HAUGEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM GM IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO GERMAN MFA ON IRANIAN ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 192971
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor John A. Bauman for reasons
1.4(b)/(d)
1. (C) Poloff presented reftel demarche to Sabine
Sparwasser, MFA Office Director for Middle East and Maghreb
Affairs, on December 1. MFA Iran Desk Officer Deike Potzel
also attended. Sparwasser stated that she expects EU
coordination on any public statement regarding the upcoming
Iranian elections. She added that she would return to us
with any more details.
2. (C) Sparwasser then turned to the issue of information
sharing, which she characterized as "very positive" and
"important", given that the U.S. does not have a presence on
the ground in Tehran. Potzel noted that recent reporting
from the German Embassy in Tehran has emphasized that within
internal Iranian political discussion, the municipal
elections are considered more important than the Assembly of
Experts election.
3. (C) Sparwasser continued that the Assembly of Experts is
not facing a decisive moment of change, noting she does not
expect a new Supreme Leader to be elected during its term.
However, if reformers are able to prevail in city elections,
this would be an indication of voter desire for change. Such
a result could help predict the mood of Iranian voters as the
2008 parliamentary elections near. Potzel added that the
vetting standards applied to Assembly of Experts candidates
was much more strict than that of municipal election
candidates; thus, reformers may stand a better chance for
success in the local elections. Potzel added that German
embassy reporting indicates that reform-oriented candidates
were successful in passing vetting procedures in Tehran but
had experienced more problems outside the capital.
TIMKEN JR
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR, LONDON FOR GAYLE, BAKU FOR HAUGEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM GM IR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO GERMAN MFA ON IRANIAN ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 192971
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor John A. Bauman for reasons
1.4(b)/(d)
1. (C) Poloff presented reftel demarche to Sabine
Sparwasser, MFA Office Director for Middle East and Maghreb
Affairs, on December 1. MFA Iran Desk Officer Deike Potzel
also attended. Sparwasser stated that she expects EU
coordination on any public statement regarding the upcoming
Iranian elections. She added that she would return to us
with any more details.
2. (C) Sparwasser then turned to the issue of information
sharing, which she characterized as "very positive" and
"important", given that the U.S. does not have a presence on
the ground in Tehran. Potzel noted that recent reporting
from the German Embassy in Tehran has emphasized that within
internal Iranian political discussion, the municipal
elections are considered more important than the Assembly of
Experts election.
3. (C) Sparwasser continued that the Assembly of Experts is
not facing a decisive moment of change, noting she does not
expect a new Supreme Leader to be elected during its term.
However, if reformers are able to prevail in city elections,
this would be an indication of voter desire for change. Such
a result could help predict the mood of Iranian voters as the
2008 parliamentary elections near. Potzel added that the
vetting standards applied to Assembly of Experts candidates
was much more strict than that of municipal election
candidates; thus, reformers may stand a better chance for
success in the local elections. Potzel added that German
embassy reporting indicates that reform-oriented candidates
were successful in passing vetting procedures in Tehran but
had experienced more problems outside the capital.
TIMKEN JR