Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS3448
2006-05-22 16:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
GOF WELCOMES FORMATION OF IRAQI GOVERNMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO3102 OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHFR #3448 1421629 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221629Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7684 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003448
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ FR
SUBJECT: GOF WELCOMES FORMATION OF IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 81632
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Bruce Turner, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003448
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ FR
SUBJECT: GOF WELCOMES FORMATION OF IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 81632
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Bruce Turner, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (U) The following is an informal embassy translation of
the French MFA statement issued May 22, welcoming formation
of the new Iraqi government:
Begin text: France welcomes the formation of a government in
Iraq, the result of the December 15 elections and which
should aim to ensure a balanced representation of the
different components of the country. France hopes that the
new government works with all Iraqis to reduce violence,
promote national reconciliation, and manages well the
reconstruction of the country. In liaison with its European
partners, France is ready to collaborate with Iraqi
authorities in order to preserve Iraq's unity and stability
and to assure the country's return to full sovereignty. End
text.
2. (C) Prior to issuance of the MFA statement, POLOFF
discussed reftel points on formation of the Iraqi government
with MFA Iraq desk officer Bernard Chappedelaine May 22.
Chappedelaine confirmed the GoF's intention to welcome, "in
uniformly positive terms," formation of the new Iraqi
government, emphasizing the importance of its greater
inclusiveness and GoF readiness to work with it.
Chappedelaine confirmed that the GoF was open to initiating
high-level exchanges with the new government, but had taken
no decisions yet, and would look first to upcoming
coordination meetings within the EU to discuss European
engagement with the new Iraqi government.
3. (C) Comment: Notwithstanding the gratuitous reference to
Iraq's "return to full sovereignty," today's GoF statement is
a welcome step. The MFA announcement on the new government
was overshadowed somewhat by May 22 allegations in the UK
press that France paid 25 million dollars in ransom to secure
the release of three French journalists held hostage in Iraq
in 2005 and 2004. (Italy and Germany were similarly
accused.) The MFA, along with issuing today's statement
welcoming the new Iraqi government, strongly denied that any
such ransom was paid. End comment.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
HOFMANN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ FR
SUBJECT: GOF WELCOMES FORMATION OF IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 81632
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Bruce Turner, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (U) The following is an informal embassy translation of
the French MFA statement issued May 22, welcoming formation
of the new Iraqi government:
Begin text: France welcomes the formation of a government in
Iraq, the result of the December 15 elections and which
should aim to ensure a balanced representation of the
different components of the country. France hopes that the
new government works with all Iraqis to reduce violence,
promote national reconciliation, and manages well the
reconstruction of the country. In liaison with its European
partners, France is ready to collaborate with Iraqi
authorities in order to preserve Iraq's unity and stability
and to assure the country's return to full sovereignty. End
text.
2. (C) Prior to issuance of the MFA statement, POLOFF
discussed reftel points on formation of the Iraqi government
with MFA Iraq desk officer Bernard Chappedelaine May 22.
Chappedelaine confirmed the GoF's intention to welcome, "in
uniformly positive terms," formation of the new Iraqi
government, emphasizing the importance of its greater
inclusiveness and GoF readiness to work with it.
Chappedelaine confirmed that the GoF was open to initiating
high-level exchanges with the new government, but had taken
no decisions yet, and would look first to upcoming
coordination meetings within the EU to discuss European
engagement with the new Iraqi government.
3. (C) Comment: Notwithstanding the gratuitous reference to
Iraq's "return to full sovereignty," today's GoF statement is
a welcome step. The MFA announcement on the new government
was overshadowed somewhat by May 22 allegations in the UK
press that France paid 25 million dollars in ransom to secure
the release of three French journalists held hostage in Iraq
in 2005 and 2004. (Italy and Germany were similarly
accused.) The MFA, along with issuing today's statement
welcoming the new Iraqi government, strongly denied that any
such ransom was paid. End comment.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
HOFMANN