COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000237 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (CORRECTED TAGS) SIPDIS FOR ISN, IO, AND NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017 TAGS: KNNP IR IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE ON IRAN REF: STATE 23001 Classified By: AMBASSADOR AUBREY HOOKS FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D. ¶1. (C) The Ambassador raised the talking points in reftel with Foreign Minister Bakayoko on March 5. Minister Bakayoko said that his government shared the growing concern about Iran's nuclear program. He stated that Cote d'Ivoire would join a consensus of the international community to sanction Iran, should that be necessary. ¶2. (C) Minister Bakayoko said that Iran has become an enigma, and that the President of Iran has needlessly sought to provoke the international community, thus raising questions about his judgment and sanity. He cited specifically the recent conference denying the existence of the Holocaust. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Minister Bakayoko has personally taken charge of relations with Iran, encouraging cultural and business exchanges. His concern about Iran's provocative behavior represents a change in his approach to that country. Hooks