MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Secretary Rice To Europe -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 002060 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 - Secretary Rice To Europe - Middle East Issues Israeli Elections PARIS - Thursday, March 30, 2006 (A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT: Secretary Rice To Europe - Middle East Issues SIPDIS Israeli Elections B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE: Once again all front pages and most editorials are devoted to PM Villepin and the CPE crisis, with Chirac thrown in for good measure: the President is urged to take a stand, and he could speak at some point this evening after the Council of State makes its decision known about the constitutionality of the legislation. Liberation headlines: "The Sinking of the Chirac- State" while France Soir carries a photo of Chirac and the headline: "What to Say? What to Do?" Le Figaro leads with "Scenarios for an Out." Experts contend that the CPE legislation will be found to be constitutional, but some add that the Council of State may express "reservations" about the "interpretation" of the legislation. Popular right-of-center Le Parisien carries a poll indicating that 83% of the French favor a withdrawal of the CPE legislation. Meanwhile a new day of protest and strikes has been called for next Tuesday. The lead international story is the "narrow" victory of Olmert and Kadima. For Liberation, Israel "is forced into a coalition government," and titles its editorial "Goodbye Dream" in reference to Greater Israel, while La Croix calls Olmert's victory "bittersweet." For France Soir it is clearly "A Victory for Sharon's Party," while Le Figaro's editorialist Pierre Rousselin suggests that to succeed, "Olmert will need to show as much determination as Sharon." (See Part C) Liberation carries a full-page article on the Pentagon's study on Saddam's leadership perspectives and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Christophe Boltanski starts his report by saying "this could be the story of Saddam in Wonderland." and goes on to explain why Saddam, "who believed in his own illusions of victory. was counting on Paris and Moscow to block the UN's decision on a military intervention." Le Monde carries on its front page a report on the "Hamdan versus Rumsfeld" case entitled "Failings of the Bush Administration at Guantanamo Before the Judges of the Supreme Court." "Given the historic nature of the issue, the Supreme Court granted a rare 90-minute session," writes Corine Lesnes. She quotes the National Journal as saying "it's about the separation of powers between the President, Congress and the federal justice system for issues concerning the war on terrorism. The lawyers for Hamdan are questioning the legality of military tribunals, and more generally, the constitutionality of the powers taken on by the President since 9/11. The trial appears to be the most important since the Rasul v. Bush case, which, in June 2004, allowed prisoners to question their detention. Justices Scalia and Breyer, his leftist-alter ego and `a distinguished Francophone,' exchange questions. Justice Thomas tips back his black leather chair and, as is his habit, says nothing." The article ends with the note that no decision is expected before July. France Soir interviews former French Guantanamo detainee Nizar Sassi who is awaiting his trial in a French prison and who has written a book entitled "Prisoner 325, Camp Delta." France Soir makes this commentary: "While the book gives a clear reading of the Guantanamo prison system, it is essentially a plea of innocence. The reader is at times seized by doubt: is Sassi really as nave and candid as he claims to be, motivated only by a dream of adventure, or a Jihaddist recruit?" In Le Figaro Alain Barluet reports on the Lebanon "impasse," which is a source of concern for the West. The report leads with the news that Secretary Rice will be speaking to President Chirac this afternoon on the Middle East. (See Part C) Catholic La Croix also notes Secretary Rice's visit to Paris and her meeting with President Chirac. La Croix comments: "French sources indicate that the situation in Ukraine and Belarus will also be discussed." La Croix also reports on President Bush's cabinet reshuffle and his replacement "on the sly" of Chief of Staff Andy Card with Joshua Bolten, and comments: "Could this be a sign that other changes will follow? For several months now his advisors have suggested changes in order to give his presidency a second wind." Columnist Alexandre Adler in his weekly column writes about the "Iranian Mystery and the Iraqi Key." (See Part C) (C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES: Secretary Rice To Europe - Middle East Issues SIPDIS "Lebanon Impasse Worries the West" Alain Barluet in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/30): "Two important questions will be on the menu of the meetings this afternoon between Secretary Rice and President Chirac. First, they will talk about the Iranian nuclear crisis. They will also speak about the situation in Lebanon where the hold Syria has is making it difficult to put an end to the political crisis opened by Hariri's assassination. Paris and Washington have consultations practically very day, with the Elysee Palace clearly setting the tone for the French side. But despite these concerted efforts, diplomats here say the prospects are grim." "Iranian Mystery and Iraqi Key" Alexandre Adler in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/30): "The Israeli elections are not this week's key event. The increase in tension between the White House and Prime Minister candidate Jaafari is either the most destabilizing or the most promising incident in the crisis with Tehran. The brutal and courageous decision taken by the U.S. President with Hakim, who is none other than the Iraqi associate of Rafsandjani, sheds new light on the course of events. Thanks to Hakim, the government of Teheran is now renewing negotiations with the American Ambassador Khalilzad. This time around, Washington is putting all its weight in favor of a quick victory of Rafsandjani and a reconciliation. of the principal Shiite moderate parties with the Sunnis who want to join them. What is at stake here is no more and no less than the end of the anti-terrorist war which began September 11, 2001." Israeli Elections "Towards a Pullout from the West Bank" Pierre Rousselin in right-of-center Le Figaro (03/30): "Although narrower than predicted, Olmert's victory will allow him to form a government able to implement his unilateral withdrawal program from the West Bank. But Israel's political landscape has changed, in part due to the Likud's rout. Today, only a few are still attached to the idea of Greater Israel. Olmert's frank campaign based on Israel's borders may have cost him some votes. But it has the advantage of clarity and makes his future tasks much easier. The Israelis know what to expect. Rather than look for a joint peace with the Palestinians, they have rallied to the idea of a clean break and clear boundaries. Despite the recent victory of Hamas, this plan can succeed . because it is not dependent on negotiations with Hamas or the international community. Olmert's task will not be easy, and he will need to be as determined as Sharon was. Meanwhile the international community will have to make every effort to keep this historic opportunity from being spoiled." "Goodbye Dream" Pierre Haski in left-of-center Liberation (03/30): "Israeli voters are sending out two messages. The first, which was expected, is a goodbye message to Greater Israel as illustrated by the rout of the Likud party and its `loser,' Netanyahu. The Israelis are slowly moving towards an evacuation of the West Bank. While we are very far from a peace agreement with the Palestinians, this is far better than what might have happened if the Likud's hawks had won. The second message is more of a surprise and concerns Israel's social demands. This is an important phenomenon for Israel, which is taking its first step towards being a `normal' nation, with, as Ben Gurion said, `its prostitutes and its thieves' but also its new poor." "A New Chapter" Dominique Quinio in Catholic La Croix (03/30): "Should we believe in Olmert's first gesture towards Mahmoud Abbas? The end of the Likud and the good score obtained by the Labor party leads us to hope that a coalition government will opt for seeking solutions. Despite a tendency towards skepticism when it comes to this part of the world, let us all believe that a new page has been turned. With a dose of auto- persuasion, the international community has welcomed the results with satisfaction. It wants to believe in the Israelis' desire for peace. Hence everyone's promise for help, so as not to waste another opportunity." STAPLETON