Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS6906
2006-10-19 16:46:00
SECRET
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH CAUTION GOI AGAINST LAUNCHING BROADER GAZA
how-tonull Lucia A Keegan 10/23/2006 10:33:51 AM From DB/Inbox: Lucia A Keegan Cable Text: S E C R E T PARIS 06906 SIPDIS cxparis: ACTION: POL INFO: ODC AGR PAO AMB DAO ECON STRASBOU DCM FCS SCI ORA UNESCO DISSEMINATION: POLOUT CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: POL/MC:JROSENBLATT DRAFTED: POL:RWALLER CLEARED: POL/D:BTURNER VZCZCFRI466 OO RUEHC RUEHXK RUEHZL RUCNDT DE RUEHFR #6906 2921646 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 191646Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2353 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0936
S E C R E T PARIS 006906
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/18/2016
TAGS: FR IS PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTION GOI AGAINST LAUNCHING BROADER GAZA
OFFENSIVE, ASK US TO REINFORCE MESSAGE
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T PARIS 006906
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/18/2016
TAGS: FR IS PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTION GOI AGAINST LAUNCHING BROADER GAZA
OFFENSIVE, ASK US TO REINFORCE MESSAGE
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Herve Besancenot, the MFA's DAS-equivalent for the
Levant, told us Oct. 19 that the Quai is alarmed by "multiple
indications" that Israel intends to launch a broad Gaza
offensive immediately after the Eid al-Fitr holiday
(approximately October 26). The Quai fears that Prime
Minister Olmert is tempted by the prospect of an easy victory
that will restore public confidence in the wake of the
Lebanon conflict.
2. (S) The French are convinced that any large scale military
operation would prove "catastrophic" (the terms "disastrous"
and "crazy" were also used) and would ultimately rebound to
the advantage of Hamas and Khalid Mishal by radicalizing the
Palestinian population. "All it will produce in the end is a
Palestinian consensus to support Hamas," said Besancenot.
3. (S) French Political-Director Araud (who until recently
was France's Ambassador to Israel) is taking advantage of a
courtesy call today by newly-arrived Israeli Ambassador Shek
to caution against any such offensive in Gaza. Besancenot
twice asked that the USG reinforce this message to the
Israeli government. POLOFF promised to convey his request to
Washington.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/18/2016
TAGS: FR IS PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTION GOI AGAINST LAUNCHING BROADER GAZA
OFFENSIVE, ASK US TO REINFORCE MESSAGE
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Herve Besancenot, the MFA's DAS-equivalent for the
Levant, told us Oct. 19 that the Quai is alarmed by "multiple
indications" that Israel intends to launch a broad Gaza
offensive immediately after the Eid al-Fitr holiday
(approximately October 26). The Quai fears that Prime
Minister Olmert is tempted by the prospect of an easy victory
that will restore public confidence in the wake of the
Lebanon conflict.
2. (S) The French are convinced that any large scale military
operation would prove "catastrophic" (the terms "disastrous"
and "crazy" were also used) and would ultimately rebound to
the advantage of Hamas and Khalid Mishal by radicalizing the
Palestinian population. "All it will produce in the end is a
Palestinian consensus to support Hamas," said Besancenot.
3. (S) French Political-Director Araud (who until recently
was France's Ambassador to Israel) is taking advantage of a
courtesy call today by newly-arrived Israeli Ambassador Shek
to caution against any such offensive in Gaza. Besancenot
twice asked that the USG reinforce this message to the
Israeli government. POLOFF promised to convey his request to
Washington.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON