MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iran America's Darfur

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 003049

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.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iran America's Darfur
Policy Russia's Energy Strategy
PARIS - Tuesday, May 09, 2006

(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Iran
America's Darfur Policy
Russia's Energy Strategy

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

Iran and the "unprecedented Iranian initiative" (Le Figaro)
calling on President Bush to a dialogue is today's lead
international story, which Liberation interprets as "An
Atom of Contact Between Iran and the U.S." Both Le Figaro
and Liberation devote their editorials to the story:
"America Must Talk to Iran" says Pierre Rousselin in Le
Figaro, who, compares this opportunity to the U.S. opening
with China or with the former Soviet Union, adds: "the
existence of the letter is as important as its content.
Iran's request mirrors past gestures to divide the West.,
making it very hard for the U.S. President to say yes to a
dialogue." The Liberation editorial suggests:
"International impotence is at its maximum. Collaborative
cooperation is close to zero. The only trump card remaining
may be that of a dialogue. Yesterday, the Iranian President
took that road. A daring suggestion that merits attention."
Les Echos's analysis sees Europe as being 'caught in the
trap of Iran's nuclear crisis." (See Part C)

The domestic lead story continues to be the Clearstream
scandal as Le Figaro comments on its front page: "A
Decisive Week for Villepin." Le Figaro notes that the
weekend was rich in rumors of the PM's resignation, despite
efforts to quell "the campaign of rumors." Le Figaro also
reports that "Sarkozy's friends continue to fuel the
hypothesis of his taking over as PM." But in an editorial,
Liberation asks: "What would be the advantage for Sarkozy
to go to Matignon (the Prime Minister's Office) if it means
losing the Elysee Palace?" Meanwhile an analysis in
Liberation emphasizes that "support for PM Villepin among
his own people, both in the government and the National
Assembly, is waning."

The nomination of General Michael Hayden to head the CIA is
widely reported. For Le Figaro, his nomination is "but the
second part of a two-prong strategy by President Bush. who
is naming a master spy to the job." For Philippe Gelie
"this latest revolution at Langley is but a sign of other
deeper changes to come for an agency in crisis. and held
responsible for a long series of failures, starting with
9/11 and the Iraqi WMD." According to Liberation's report,
"no official explanation was given for Porter Goss's
surprise resignation."

Several media outlets report on Moussaoui's request for a
second trial, "now that he knows he can be tied fairly,"
and in which he would "plead not guilty because he 'knew
nothing.'"

Le Monde devotes its editorial to Darfur and this weekend's
agreement in Abuja, "a witness to America's determination."
(See Pat C)

Liberation comments on an op-ed penned by the Russian
Minister for Energy, Viktor Khristenko, published in the
Financial Times over the weekend: "The Russian Minister
says he is 'perplexed over the persisting western criticism
which gives a negative image of Russia's energy policy.'
Without ever naming him, Khristenko is answering the
criticism made last Thursday by the U.S. Vice-President in
Vilnius. But the tension is far from falling: the U.S.
President's interview in Bild stressed his concern over the
'economic nationalism' at work in Russia." Les Echos also
comments on the President's interview in the German daily
Bild: "Washington accuses Moscow of using its energy for
'political purposes." (See Part C)
Le Figaro reports on the World Bank's warnings to the
Quartet that "the suspension of financial aid could lead to
the Palestinian Authority's demise." An accompanying report
tells the story of "hounded Palestinians forced to sell
their jewelry to survive." La Croix carries a report noting
that the EU Commissioner Benita Ferreo-Waldner has said
that the EU is seeking a way to send money to help the
Palestinian people "which points to the difficult situation
that the EU is in since it decided to suspend financial aid
to the Palestinian Authority." One French diplomat is
quoted saying that the EU has "fallen into the trap" laid
out by the U.S. and now finds itself in a "grotesque
situation"

Liberation carries a two-page report entitled "America's
Best Friends." "Since the protest against America's
intervention in Iraq, French intellectuals, including
journalists, appalled by the ambient anti-Americanism, have
founded an association, 'The Circle of the Oratory,' which
gets its inspiration from the neo-cons and those who flog
radical Islamism. They meet regularly in a Parisian
Protestant Temple. All of its members would like to see the
French become friendlier towards their American cousins.
Says one member, Michel Taubman: 'The Americans are not our
enemies, even if we can criticize them. But I am worried
about living in a world where AMERICA would be weakened.'"

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Iran

"America Must Speak to Iran"
Pierre Rousselin in right-of-center Le Figaro (05/09): "In
its tug of war with the international community, Tehran has
always tried to divide the adversary. Pitting the
Americans, Europeans Chinese and Russians against each
other is the best way to protect Iran against international
sanctions. On the eve of the UN talks, the letter sent to
President Bush has the same goal. While the terms of the
letter are probably not all kind for the U.S. President,
the letter marks a beginning. Its existence is as important
as its content. On a tactical level, the letter shows that
Iran is ready to open a direct dialogue with the U.S.
Strategically speaking, the letter shows that Iran wants
Washington to grant it recognition, despite having listed
it in the 'axis of evil.' Because of his past messages of
destruction, Ahmadinejad is making it very difficult for
President Bush to respond to the call for talks. Yet,
despite Iran's unacceptable declarations, AMERICA must
speak to Iran. For many reasons, including the fact that a
military option against Iran would be even more hazardous
than the intervention in Iraq. Direct contact between
Washington and Tehran would help to reinforce the fragile
international consensus. Past examples, although very
different - China, the Soviet Union - prove that daring can
serve peace. The time has come to test Iran's capacity for
dialogue."

"A New World"
Pierre Haski in left-of-center Liberation (05/09):
"International impotence is at its maximum. The Iranian
nuclear crisis has crystallized the fact that what is
commonly called the 'international community' is incapable
of collective action. An agreement between the Americans,
the Europeans, the Chinese and the Russians is practically
impossible: each defends different positions for political
or economic reasons. While everyone agrees on the goal,
everyone disagrees on the means. There is no single good
solution on the table: a diplomatic impasse, inoperative
sanctions, a hazardous military operation. The only trump
card that remains and which has yet to be tested is that of
a direct dialogue between Washington and Tehran... The idea
that an out to the crisis may reside in an approach similar
to Nixon's trip to China is beginning to take hold:
although daring, the option merits thought."

"Europe in the Nuclear Trap"
Jacques Hubert-Rodier in right-of-center Les Echos (05/09):
"Side by side with the Iranian nuclear crisis what is being
played out is the re-positioning of the U.S., China and
Russia on the international scene, which could leave Europe
behind. Against Iran, Europe does not hold the right cards,
which are held by Washington. A high French official
recently suggested that 'the time for dialogue between
Washington and Tehran may have come.' This suggestion is
unacceptable for Washington because, according to Nick
Burns, dialogue with a country that threatens everyone is
impossible. In this Iranian trap, the European Troika may
well carry less weight than the U.S., Russia or China."

America's Darfur Policy

"Hope in Darfur"
Left-of-center Le Monde in its editorial (05/09): "No one
can say whether the partial agreement reached in Darfur
will succeed. But its signing, after a five-day Marathon
led by Assistant Secretary Robert Zoellick stands witness
to America's determination in Darfur. The Americans, who
are mired in Iraq and who have characterized the situation
in Darfur as a 'genocide,' cannot afford to be held
responsible for a new humanitarian scandal. After months of
dilly-dallying, probably because of Washington's desire to
preserve its relationship with Sudan, a major partner in
its war against terrorism, AMERICA has proven it can weigh
in concretely for peace. The fear of instability, fueled by
Chad, where the U.S. has oil interests may have played a
role. Still, the agreement has already had a positive
effect: Khartoum does not exclude the deployment of UN
peacekeeping troops. But this dynamic could be short-lived
if the international community sees the agreement as an end
in itself. Long-term mobilization is required if the
glimmer of hope born in Abuja is to lead to a concrete
prospect for peace in Darfur."

Russia's Energy Strategy

"Washington Accuses Moscow of Using its Energy for
'Political Ends'"
Stephane Dupont in right-of-center Les Echos (05/09): "The
Americans are accusing the Russians of wanting to keep
their hold on former Soviet block nations through their
energy policy and point to Putin's authoritarian excesses.
America's accusations have triggered Moscow's anger. The
first to the draw was Vice President Cheney while in
Vilnius. But President Bush added a layer in an interview
with the German daily, Bild. Tomorrow, in a very much-
awaited speech, Putin will probably answer his accusers in
the hopes of quelling the controversy, in the interest of
Moscow, but also of other western capitals two months
before the G-8 hosted by. the Russian President." STAPLETON