DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PARTICIPATION IN DECEMBER UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007712 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016 TAGS: FR IS PREL UNSC SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PARTICIPATION IN DECEMBER UNSC THEMATIC DEBATE REF: STATE 196223 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points on December 7 to Salina Grenet, MFA IO action officer for the Middle East. Grenet said that Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy had not yet decided whether to attend the thematic meeting due to a scheduling conflict (he has another engagement in Asia); she hinted that the Secretary's decision not to attend would likely lead Douste-Blazy to skip the thematic meeting as well. ¶2. (C) As for the PRST, Grenet said that the French had promised the Qataris they would support a PRST so long as there was a consensus, but warned them that achieving such a consensus might prove difficult. The French had therefore urged the Qataris to consult closely with the USG and the Government of Israel, which the Qataris claimed to have done. Grenet indicated the French would take our opposition to a PRST into account as they formulate their position. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON