FRENCH ON MAY 15-16 GAERC - FOCUS ON AID TO

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