Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS3631
2007-08-31 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH NOT PREPARED TO ISSUE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #3631 2431523 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311523Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9826 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 1001 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0518 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1043 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0299 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1429 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0681 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2552 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 2071
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003631
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM FR SY LE
SUBJECT: FRENCH NOT PREPARED TO ISSUE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON
SYRIAN ACTIVIST RIAD SEIF, EU DEMARCHE DELIVERED AUGUST 29
REF: SECSTATE 119436
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reasons 1.4. (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003631
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM FR SY LE
SUBJECT: FRENCH NOT PREPARED TO ISSUE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON
SYRIAN ACTIVIST RIAD SEIF, EU DEMARCHE DELIVERED AUGUST 29
REF: SECSTATE 119436
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reasons 1.4. (b),(d)
1. (C) France does not intend to issue a public declaration
on Syrian dissident Riad Seif (reftel),according to French
MFA Syria desk officer Jean-Christophe Auge. He indicated
August 31 that France had delivered a joint EU demarche on
August 29 to Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Miqdad asking
that Riad Seif be allowed to leave Syria for urgent medical
treatment. (Comment: The French charge led the group as
representative of the EU presidency, since Portugal does not
have diplomatic representation in Damascus. End comment)
Miqdad reportedly claimed not to know about the case but said
he would look into it and provide a response. Miqdad gave a
standard and "wooden" Syrian sermon affirming that Syria's
respect for human rights was at least as staunch as Europe's.
AUGE was dubious when asked whether the EU expected a quick
answer.
2. (C) AUGE added that EU COMs agreed that it would best
serve Seif's interests not to publicize their demarche and
recommended their capitals not issue statements. When asked
whether the French embassy was in touch with Seif, AUGE
replied that it was. He explained, however, that such
contact was often indirect, i.e., through family members.
3. (C) Comment: We note the inconsistency between what
Saif asked us to do on his behalf and what the EU seems
prepared to do. AUGE did not indicate that EU reticence with
respect to a more assertive stance on Riad Seif's case was
due to France's concern not to antagonize the Syrians at this
delicate phase in Lebanon, but we would not rule it out.
France has made clear to Syria that it is willing to resume a
bilateral dialogue as an incentive to Syria not to interfere
in upcoming Lebanese presidential elections. In Paris' view,
this is probably not the ideal time to needle the Syrians on
a human rights case like Seif's, no matter how compelling it
may be.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM FR SY LE
SUBJECT: FRENCH NOT PREPARED TO ISSUE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON
SYRIAN ACTIVIST RIAD SEIF, EU DEMARCHE DELIVERED AUGUST 29
REF: SECSTATE 119436
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reasons 1.4. (b),(d)
1. (C) France does not intend to issue a public declaration
on Syrian dissident Riad Seif (reftel),according to French
MFA Syria desk officer Jean-Christophe Auge. He indicated
August 31 that France had delivered a joint EU demarche on
August 29 to Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Miqdad asking
that Riad Seif be allowed to leave Syria for urgent medical
treatment. (Comment: The French charge led the group as
representative of the EU presidency, since Portugal does not
have diplomatic representation in Damascus. End comment)
Miqdad reportedly claimed not to know about the case but said
he would look into it and provide a response. Miqdad gave a
standard and "wooden" Syrian sermon affirming that Syria's
respect for human rights was at least as staunch as Europe's.
AUGE was dubious when asked whether the EU expected a quick
answer.
2. (C) AUGE added that EU COMs agreed that it would best
serve Seif's interests not to publicize their demarche and
recommended their capitals not issue statements. When asked
whether the French embassy was in touch with Seif, AUGE
replied that it was. He explained, however, that such
contact was often indirect, i.e., through family members.
3. (C) Comment: We note the inconsistency between what
Saif asked us to do on his behalf and what the EU seems
prepared to do. AUGE did not indicate that EU reticence with
respect to a more assertive stance on Riad Seif's case was
due to France's concern not to antagonize the Syrians at this
delicate phase in Lebanon, but we would not rule it out.
France has made clear to Syria that it is willing to resume a
bilateral dialogue as an incentive to Syria not to interfere
in upcoming Lebanese presidential elections. In Paris' view,
this is probably not the ideal time to needle the Syrians on
a human rights case like Seif's, no matter how compelling it
may be.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON