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