FRANCE NONCOMMITTAL ON PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001316 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017 TAGS: PREL FR EUN PHUM KDEM SUBJECT: FRANCE NONCOMMITTAL ON PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE EVENT REF: SECSTATE 070829 Classified By: POL MC Allegrone for reasons 1.4 (B & D). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on Prisoners of Conscience Public Affairs event to the French MFA on July 2 but did not receive a substantive response. After multiple follow-ups, DAS-equivalent for Human Rights Jacques Pellet told PolOff on July 10 that the GOF is still consulting EU partners to obtain a unified position but suggested that France was not likely to participate in the event. Pellet welcomed the prospect of more intense discussion on this subject during the visit by Special Representative Ambassador Rees and DRL DAS Barks-Ruggles scheduled for July 17. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce STAPLETON