Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS3181
2006-05-12 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH ON MAY 15-16 GAERC - FOCUS ON AID TO
how-toVZCZCXRO3060 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #3181 1321625 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121625Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7309 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003181
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM KPAL UN EUN MW SR BO IR IZ CG SU
LI, IS
SUBJECT: FRENCH ON MAY 15-16 GAERC - FOCUS ON AID TO
PALESTINIANS
REF: SECSTATE 74555
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003181
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM KPAL UN EUN MW SR BO IR IZ CG SU
LI, IS
SUBJECT: FRENCH ON MAY 15-16 GAERC - FOCUS ON AID TO
PALESTINIANS
REF: SECSTATE 74555
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA deputy for CFSP
Pascal LeDeunff on May 10 and discussed them with him on May
12. LeDeunff said that the biggest issue for the GAERC would
be the question of EU assistance to the Palestinians. He
noted that the GoF was refusing to agree to inclusion of
certain language in the GAERC conclusion that the GoF
believes would restrict a priori the areas of competence of
the funding mechanism. LeDeunff said the French are the sole
hold-out against the draft language in question, which says
the funding mechanism "would be aimed at contributing to meet
basic needs, including health services." This phrasing,
LeDeunff said, was problematic for the GoF because it is too
limited in scope.
2. (C) LeDeunff said the Austrian presidency would probably
ask France one more time to agree to the language, but the
GoF will not/not agree to its inclusion. However, LeDeunff
said, consultations will continue over the weekend, and a
compromise is possible, although he did not specify its
possible outlines.
3.(C) Further on the Palestinian-Israeli question, LeDeunff
said that France would support the Austrian presidency's
efforts to agree common EU rules for contacts and visas for
Hamas members. (COMMENT: In recent discussions, MFA contacts
suggested that, in the absence of a common EU position, the
GoF would reject visas for Hamas/PA ministers and
sub-ministerial officials seeking to promote Hamas' agenda,
but would consider all other applications on a case-by-case
basis. END COMMENT) Additionally, LeDeunff said the French
would also insist that language be included in the Council
conclusions stressing the need to relaunch the peace process.
The formation of the new Israeli government and some
encouraging statements from the GOI make this a time to
refocus, he said.
4. (C) On Iran, LeDeunff said the GAERC discussions would not
include any surprises. The FMs would state their support for
the EU-3 efforts with the U.S. LeDeunff characterized
himself as "optimistic" about the chances of getting a
resolution in the UNSC. He also said that it is important
that the EU act as the "motor of international consensus" on
the Iranian issue. He said the French want the EU to start
thinking about what to include in a package of incentives and
sanctions -- he stressed that the package would not/not be
agreed at the GAERC, but rather, he expected an EU commitment
to consider what means could be useful.
5. (C) LeDeunff said there would be Council conclusions on
Darfur, Uganda, DRC, and Cote d'Ivoire. He said French FM
Douste-Blazy will insist on language on Sudan -- that the EU
should stay mobilized given the fragility of the Abuja
agreement and continue to support the AU mission on the
ground.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
Stapleton
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM KPAL UN EUN MW SR BO IR IZ CG SU
LI, IS
SUBJECT: FRENCH ON MAY 15-16 GAERC - FOCUS ON AID TO
PALESTINIANS
REF: SECSTATE 74555
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA deputy for CFSP
Pascal LeDeunff on May 10 and discussed them with him on May
12. LeDeunff said that the biggest issue for the GAERC would
be the question of EU assistance to the Palestinians. He
noted that the GoF was refusing to agree to inclusion of
certain language in the GAERC conclusion that the GoF
believes would restrict a priori the areas of competence of
the funding mechanism. LeDeunff said the French are the sole
hold-out against the draft language in question, which says
the funding mechanism "would be aimed at contributing to meet
basic needs, including health services." This phrasing,
LeDeunff said, was problematic for the GoF because it is too
limited in scope.
2. (C) LeDeunff said the Austrian presidency would probably
ask France one more time to agree to the language, but the
GoF will not/not agree to its inclusion. However, LeDeunff
said, consultations will continue over the weekend, and a
compromise is possible, although he did not specify its
possible outlines.
3.(C) Further on the Palestinian-Israeli question, LeDeunff
said that France would support the Austrian presidency's
efforts to agree common EU rules for contacts and visas for
Hamas members. (COMMENT: In recent discussions, MFA contacts
suggested that, in the absence of a common EU position, the
GoF would reject visas for Hamas/PA ministers and
sub-ministerial officials seeking to promote Hamas' agenda,
but would consider all other applications on a case-by-case
basis. END COMMENT) Additionally, LeDeunff said the French
would also insist that language be included in the Council
conclusions stressing the need to relaunch the peace process.
The formation of the new Israeli government and some
encouraging statements from the GOI make this a time to
refocus, he said.
4. (C) On Iran, LeDeunff said the GAERC discussions would not
include any surprises. The FMs would state their support for
the EU-3 efforts with the U.S. LeDeunff characterized
himself as "optimistic" about the chances of getting a
resolution in the UNSC. He also said that it is important
that the EU act as the "motor of international consensus" on
the Iranian issue. He said the French want the EU to start
thinking about what to include in a package of incentives and
sanctions -- he stressed that the package would not/not be
agreed at the GAERC, but rather, he expected an EU commitment
to consider what means could be useful.
5. (C) LeDeunff said there would be Council conclusions on
Darfur, Uganda, DRC, and Cote d'Ivoire. He said French FM
Douste-Blazy will insist on language on Sudan -- that the EU
should stay mobilized given the fragility of the Abuja
agreement and continue to support the AU mission on the
ground.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
Stapleton