GERMAN MFA OUTLINES IRAN PROGRAMMING WITH VISITING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001270

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, STATE FOR NEA/IR, NEA/IDP, EUR/AGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM GM IR
SUBJECT: GERMAN MFA OUTLINES IRAN PROGRAMMING WITH VISITING
NEA SENIOR ADVISOR DAVID DENEHY

BERLIN 00001270 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor John Bauman for reasons 1.4
(b)/(d)



1. (C) SUMMARY: During a May 15 meeting with NEA Senior
Advisor David Denehy, MFA Office Director for Middle East
Affairs Sabine Sparwasser discussed the MFA's assessment of
the Iranian government's paranoia about efforts to support
civil society. Denehy explained IDP's goals and approach to
working with NGOs, and discussed a project currently underway
with a German organization. Sparwasser called for increased
information sharing, suggesting that the German ambassador to
Iran conduct briefings for Department officials. She also
outlined German efforts in supporting Iranian civil society,
noting the German preference to work on seemingly apolitical
projects that have a political undercurrent, while also
aiming for mid-term results. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) IRANIAN GOVERNMENT PARANOID ABOUT POLITICAL
STABILITY, CRACKDOWN UNDERWAY: Sparwasser noted that the
Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) 's focus on regime stability
has driven it to view support for civil society as
immediately equaling support for regime change, adding that
perhaps Germany and the U.S. should take care not to feed
into such paranoia. The MFA's current assessment is that the
IRI has become more repressive and is now clearly carrying
out a clampdown. Sparwasser asked if it is possible in such
an atmosphere to carry out events even partially funded by
the USG.


3. (C) DENEHY OUTLINES IDP EFFORTS: After outlining how
IDP works with global NGOs to implement programs on the
ground in Iran, Denehy noted that evidence does not indicate
an increased level of arrests from its already very high
level, but greater rhetoric from the regime. Despite this
increased vitriolic rhetoric, noted Denehy, there has been no
reticence from applicants and that IDP
has received over 100 applications for its programs. Denehy
also indicated that the USG had protections in place within
this project to protect program participants. Denehy
informed Sparwasser that a Germany-based organization had
recently been awarded an IDP grant. He also explained the
goals and structure of the small grants program currently in
planning. Sparwasser appeared aware of the grant to the
German organization and expressed no concerns with the
involvement of German organizations in either program.


4. (C) STRONG GERMAN TIES IN IRAN OFFER CHANCE FOR MORE
INFORMATION SHARING: Sparwasser noted that Germany has an
advantage in its long presence and experience in Iran,
calling Iran "one of Germany's most complex relationships."
Sparwasser discussed improving information exchange between
Germany and the U.S. to help the USG understand Iran better.
One option would be for the German ambassador to Tehran
regularly travel to and brief IRPO Dubai and to brief
Department officials as appropriate. She added that
Germany's room to maneuver in Iran has decreased as a result
of EU-3 efforts and that contact with Iranian civil society
has become much more difficult.


5. (C) GERMAN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EFFORTS TARGET POLITICAL
ISSUES INDIRECTLY: According to Sparwasser, pressing issues
in public plays into the IRI's fear of regime change; the
Iranian public is also suspicious of the West's intentions.
"Whatever we do in public diplomacy will be
medium term and we need to conduct confidence building. We
should show what our values are and what we stand for," she
said. She described the German preference to "fly under the
radar" and seek opportunities for engagement via seemingly
apolitical projects that have underlying political messages.
Sparwasser cited the example of the success of two German
films at Iranian film festivals as an
indirect means of influencing Iranian public opinion. Both
films dealt directly with state repression in the Nazi and
Communist eras; despite their subject matter, both films were
shown and won awards at major Iranian film festivals. The
German government also sponsors projects in Bam, where
they conduct girl's education and reconstruction projects.
The MFA has also received IRI support for a project aimed at
educating Afghani refugee children as part of their
preparation for repatriation. The MFA has also supported an
EU Seminar to educate Iranians on how the EU functions. Such
projects are carried out with modest sums of money. While
Germany had been the object of suspicion among
Iranians, its role has become constructive through regional
cooperation and dialogue with Iran. Earlier meetings with

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other German non-governmental organizations (SEPTEL)
illustrated a number of other activities that the Germans
were also conducting, to include working with labor unions
and other civil society organizations. However, the recent
arrest of Hossein Mousavian, Iran,s former deptuy nuclear
negotiator and a former ambassador to Germany, seemed to put
a damper on prospects for the future with some organizations.


6. (C) NEED TO IMPROVE BROADCASTING EFFORTS THROUGHOUT
REGION: Sparwasser also called for increasing the flow of
information and broadcasts to the Iranian people, asking if
the USG had considered also funding broadcasters not
affiliated with the USG. Denehy noted that up to now, such
an endeavor has been difficult due to independent
broadcasters' pre-existing political agendas and their
inability until now to demonstrate a true impact on Iranian
public opinion. Sparwasser noted that the West as a whole
has difficulty putting across its message in the Middle East
and added that it is important to position as much content as
possible in the mass media. Sparwasser suggested including
the Office Director for Middle East Communications in future
meetings.


7. (U) This message has been cleared by David Denehy.
TIMKEN JR