FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER REACTION TO U.S. STATEMENT

UNCLAS PARIS 003667 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM IZ FR SUBJECT: FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER REACTION TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN REF: STATE 087682 ¶1. Late on May 31, in response to the Secretary's statement, which we had previously delivered, the MFA issued a supportive statement by French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy praising the U.S. decision to join the EU3's negotiations with Iran (see informal translation para 2). On June 1, the MFA stated that FM Douste-Blazy would attend the meetings in Vienna but deflected questions about when and how a joint proposal would be delivered to Iran (se para 3). ¶2. Informal Embassy translation of text of Minister's comment: I praise the willingness of the U.S., and eventually that of other partners, to join the ongoing German, UK, and French negotiations with Iran. This action strengthens the credibility of the European position and the proposals that the Europeans wish to offer to Iran with the support of the international community. Tomorrow's reunion (June 1) in Vienna will be an opportunity to come to an agreement, which will present Iran a way to resume negotiations. We are expecting to be able to make substantial proposals at this meeting, thanks to the growing engagement of our partners. We hope that the Iranian authorities will take the necessary time to study these proposals and to follow up in a constructive manner. ¶3. At the MFA's June 1 daily press briefing, the spokesperson was asked whether the Europeans would travel to Tehran to present their proposals after the day's meetings, to which he responded that he had no further details to provide either on the offer under discussion or how it would be delivered to the Iranians. The MFA spokesperson also referred queries on the meetings in Vienna to UK representatives in Vienna, who are hosting the meeting and dinner later on June 1. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON