SENEGAL'S IRAN PROPOSAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 001759 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016 TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP IR SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL'S IRAN PROPOSAL REF: STATE 119436 Classified By: Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) President Wade asked to meet with me July 21 to follow up on earlier discussions regarding the situation in Iran. He indicated his primary objective in getting involved is to help avoid a military strike against Iran. He is willing to support stepped up economic sanctions, visa restrictions and other measures but strongly opposes military action. President Wade understands the position of the U.S. and P5 1 that Iran should respond immediately to the package offered on June 6. I took the opportunity to provide details of the package provided reftel. The President continues to believe that Iran is looking for a face-saving way out of the current situation through low visibility meetings with a small group of nations, to include the EU and U.S. ¶2. (C) On July 17, EU-3 ambassadors in Dakar met with Foreign Minister Gadio to thank the GOS for its earlier offer to play a mediation role and to explain that the best way to assist would be to convince Iran to accept the incentives package. President Wade referred to this meeting and to a call from French President Jacques Chirac, saying that it appeared that his idea for behind-the-scenes diplomacy had been rejected, although he is under the impression that it may still be under consideration. He mused over whether announcing his proposal to the press would help or hurt. I reiterated points made earlier about how any new proposals are likely to be viewed as an effort by Iran to buy more time, stressing that we need for Iran to respond immediately to the proposal at hand. President Wade ended on a sober note concerning the number of ongoing crises, saying his main interest is in finding a peaceful solution to the situation in Iran. JACOBS