MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iraq Belarus Elections

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 001799 SIPDIS DEPT FOR INR/R/MR; IIP/RW; IIP/RNY; BBG/VOA; IIP/WEU; AF/PA; EUR/WE /P/SP; D/C (MCCOO); EUR/PA; INR/P; INR/EUC; PM; OSC ISA FOR ILN; NEA; WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE; DOC FOR ITA/EUR/FR AND PASS USTR/PA; USINCEUR FOR PAO; NATO/PA; MOSCOW/PA; ROME/PA; USVIENNA FOR USDEL OSCE. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iraq Belarus Elections U.S. - India Nuclear Accord Hamas PARIS - Tuesday, March 21, 2006 (A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT: Iraq Belarus Elections U.S. - India Nuclear Accord Hamas B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE: Once again the tug-of-war between the government and the opponents to the youth employment legislation makes almost every front page, as strikes are called for March 28. PM Villepin met with student organizations and corporate executives, who for the most part support the CPE but with certain amendments: reducing the trial period from two to one year, and having to give a reason for breaking the contract. In international news, Iraq's three-year war is widely featured in Le Monde, while La Croix's editorial on Iraq (See Part C) comments on the "Pandora's box" mentioned by Zalmay Khaliizad in the L.A. Times. La Croix profiles Ambassador Khaliizad in a column entitled "a neo-con in Baghdad." Le Monde also carries a full-page profile of Ambassador Khalizad "the highest ranking Muslim official in Washington." In an interview in Le Monde on Iraq, King Abdallah says: "The risk of an inter-religious war in Iraq exists and it would be disastrous for us all. The influence of Iran on certain factions of Iraqi society, its solid ties with Syria and Hamas as well as with Hezbollah in Lebanon is a cause for great concern." Le Figaro devotes a story to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which may be "flirting with bankruptcy." (See Part C) In his report Patrick Saint Paul quotes President Chirac who said during a joint press conference with King Abdallah II: "EU aid to the Palestinians must be handled and distributed under the aegis of President Abbas, once Hamas has taken up its government positions." France Soir posits that the EU is stuck with the question "to pay or not to pay?" when it comes to funding the Palestinians in the wake of Hamas' electoral victory. It has said it won't fund Hamas, in the hopes the government would make concessions about Israel and armed struggle, but Hamas hasn't budged, and now the EU is "up against a wall." President Chirac has proposed an alternative �A;that would permit the EU a decent exit from the problem: give assistance to the Palestinians under the "authority" of Mahmoud Abbas, the only player judged credible by the West. The editorial in Le Figaro on the Belarus elections is characterized by Pierre Rousselin as a "test." (See Part C) Also in Le Figaro political analyst Alain Barluet revisits the U.S. - India nuclear agreement, "and the inherent risks for the rest of the world." (See Part C) Liberation devotes major coverage to the government's draft law to regulate GMO crops. In his editorial Patrick Sabatier reports on the "persisting and massive hostility of the French towards GMOs" which in his view finds its roots in "mistrust in their government because of past scandals: mad cow, asbestos, etc. In all instances economic interests have prevailed over health concerns." France Soir and La Croix report on the Senate debate. France Soir contends that France is in infraction of a EU directive and must take up an "unpopular issue." 78% of the French would like to see a "temporary ban" on GMOs to further evaluate their impact on health and the environment. (C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES: Iraq "Iraq, Three Years Later" Dominique Quinio in Catholic La Croix (03/21): "Protest marches in the U.S. did not bring together large groups. Yet more and more Americans are questioning the war in Iraq and making President Bush pay for their growing doubts, just as he is busy designating the nation's next number one enemy: Iran. While the intervention was instrumental in getting rid of Saddam and his regime, it has not brought peace to Iraq. The December elections have yet to bring about a government. Civilian deaths can be counted in the thousands while more than 2000 U.S. soldiers have died. American officials, while recognizing the fragile state of things, continue to argue that there have been democratic inroads and reject the notion of a `civil war.' Today's chaos is mostly being experienced by the Iraqis themselves. But this `Pandora's box,' now that it has been opened, as Ambassador Khalizad acknowledges, could free even more regional violence." "The Bush Conquest" Jean Levallois in regional La Presse de la Manche (03/21): "Three years after the Bush conquest, Iraq is afire. A civil war has erupted between the various religious communities. The country is in ruins. And in their attempts to re-conquer lost ground, the Americans have no choice but to revert to practices used in Vietnam and spray entire regions with bombs and missiles launched from helicopters. The first veterans from the Iraqi war are explaining to Americans at home the kind of quagmire President Bush has created, for Americans and the western world, with regard to the Muslim world. And the President who must deal with the midterm elections is having a hard time finding an honorable way out to his adventure." Belarus Elections "The Belarus Test" Pierre Rousselin in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/21): "More than ever, Belarus remains the `last dictatorship in Europe.' Secretary Rice's coined phrase has been validated. The Belarus SIPDIS opposition is still too weak and Lukashenko too adulated for a movement to topple him, at least in the near future. Time will be needed and all will depend on the democrats' ability to resist the government's repression. The EU cannot be stingy with its help. But it has limited means. Belarus is widely financed by Russia and its economy survives in autarchy. But supporting the political opposition in Belarus is essential. because it goes beyond Belarus itself and concerns all former Soviet Republics. Lukashenko must be sanctioned for his electoral manipulation of democracy. If not, his little games could well spread and deprive Ukraine and Georgia of their democratic achievements. The quick congratulations sent by the Kremlin prove that the Belarus `model' could be used elsewhere. We must not look away from Belarus just because our interest could be annoying to the Kremlin. Such a sign of weakness on our part might signal that Belarus may not remain the `last' dictatorship on our continent for long." U.S. - India Nuclear Accord "India, the U.S., and the Risks of Their Nuclear Pact for the World" Alain Barluet in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/21): "The U.S. signed a `historic' nuclear agreement with India; several days before that, President Chirac signed a declaration with India going in the same direction. The paradox is that by granting India a status outside the NPT, said treaty, imperfect as it is, can be weakened. This precedent can open the door to others that might want the same prerogative, like Pakistan. We must also consider the consequences of such deals on the Iranian nuclear crisis. The stance adopted by both Paris and Washington on commercial nuclear programs are not convincing Iran, which is fast to point out the inconsistencies of the agreement with India. `The Indian exception' will not be instrumental in making Iran soften its position. This is why the wager is a risky one. This does not necessarily mean it has to be abandoned. But we must push forward with our eyes open and set up a maximum number of guarantees. These must be the fruit of the U.S. Congress and the NSG." Hamas "Palestinian Authority on the Brink of Bankruptcy" Patrick Saint Paul in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/21): "By refusing to recognize Israel and the accords linking the Palestinian Authority with Israel, Hamas is running the virtual risk of seeing international financial aid cut off as soon as the government takes up its position. The U.S. has decided to suspend direct aid to a Palestinian Authority led by Hamas, a terrorist movement according to Washington. The EU is for its part trying to find a way to pursue its aid while not looking like it is helping an Islamic movement. Meanwhile Israel is set on making things as difficult as possible for Haniyeh's cabinet." STAPLETON