MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iraq Belarus Elections

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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
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