Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS2094
2007-05-22 12:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH MFA SEES IRAN'S MULLAHS AS DOING OUR JOB

Tags:  FR PREL PGOV MEPI 
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VZCZCXRO2723
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHFR #2094 1421212
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221212Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7477
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002094 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/18/2017
TAGS: FR PREL PGOV MEPI
SUBJECT: FRENCH MFA SEES IRAN'S MULLAHS AS DOING OUR JOB
FOR US

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002094

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/18/2017
TAGS: FR PREL PGOV MEPI
SUBJECT: FRENCH MFA SEES IRAN'S MULLAHS AS DOING OUR JOB
FOR US

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) In a May 18 meeting with Franck Gellet, MFA
DAS-equivalent for the Persian Gulf, NEA Senior Advisor David
Denehy explained the U.S. approach to democracy promotion in
Iran. Denehy expressed interest in coordinating efforts with
France and other like-minded states, and outlined a specific
proposal for a multilateral, working level gathering to
discuss civil society development.


2. (C) Gellet said the French would carefully consider the
idea, adding that while he supported the idea in concept, the
MFA's inclination was to keep the focus -- and the pressure
-- on Iran's nuclear program. He asked that the U.S. keep
France apprised of any grants for Iran programming that we
give to France-based NGOs, and Denehy advised him that we are
currently negotiating a grant with at least one French-based
implementer.


3. (C) Noting that he had recently returned from a 15-day
visit to Iran, Gellet said he had been struck by the
population's goodwill toward the United States, and also by a
general lack of interest in Iran's nuclear program. Gellet
suggested that the average Iranian had no concept of the
likely consequences of Iran's continued defiance of the
international community, whereas Iranian government officials
overestimated the country's ability to withstand economic
sanctions and even military strikes.


4. (C) On potential sanctions, Gellet said the MFA was
considering the value of a UNSC-imposed embargo on refined
petroleum products, including gasoline. However, he
suggested that Iran's authorities "may do our job for us"
since they have already begun distributing gas rationing
cards and may soon be obliged to begin rationing due to their
mismanagement of the petroleum sector.


5. (C) Gellet stated as a matter of personal opinion that
military strikes against Iran were inevitable inasmuch as the
Iranian regime would never halt its enrichment program. He
said the challenge would be to manage the fallout from the
strikes so as not to lose the goodwill of the Iranian people.

Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

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