Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS1625
2008-08-22 14:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH RESPONSE ON SUPPORTING AFGHANISTAN'S
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001625
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA FR SY IR AF
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON SUPPORTING AFGHANISTAN'S
CANDIDACY FOR THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
REF: STATE 87744
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reas
ons 1.4. (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001625
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA FR SY IR AF
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON SUPPORTING AFGHANISTAN'S
CANDIDACY FOR THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
REF: STATE 87744
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reas
ons 1.4. (b),(d).
1. (C) We delivered reftel message on supporting
Afghanistan's candidacy for the MESA seat on the IAEA Board
of Governors (BOG) to French MFA DAS-equivalent for Levantine
affairs Ludovic Pouille on 19 August. Prior to that meeting,
we had previewed the pitch we would be making on August 13 to
French Syria desk officers Jean-Christophe Auge and Patrick
Durel, including the suggestion that French FM Kouchner
consider asking the Syrians to renounce their bid when he
visits Damascus (now scheduled for August 25).
2. (C) Pouille stated that France firmly opposes Syrian
membership of the BOG for all the reasons we stated in our
demarche. France is not, however, eager to get into a
full-blown and public confrontation with the relevant
regional groupings to force acceptance of Afghanistan or any
other country other than Syria (or Iran, now that it, too,
may seek the seat). Instead, Pouille continued, France is
prepared to work quietly and behind the scenes to persuade
the MESA bloc to back another candidate. Despite this
willingness, he was skeptical the Arabs would back off their
current position supporting Syria and was especially doubtful
that Jordan, as some have rumored, would willingly step
forward as an alternative. Pouille said France would want to
work with us on this in the weeks ahead.
3. (C) When we asked whether Kouchner might consider
quietly asking the Syrians to withdraw their candidacy,
Pouille replied that he would pass the question up his chain
of command. He acknowledged that it made sense, but he was
non-committal when asked the chances Kouchner might agree.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce
PEKALA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP MNUC IAEA FR SY IR AF
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON SUPPORTING AFGHANISTAN'S
CANDIDACY FOR THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
REF: STATE 87744
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reas
ons 1.4. (b),(d).
1. (C) We delivered reftel message on supporting
Afghanistan's candidacy for the MESA seat on the IAEA Board
of Governors (BOG) to French MFA DAS-equivalent for Levantine
affairs Ludovic Pouille on 19 August. Prior to that meeting,
we had previewed the pitch we would be making on August 13 to
French Syria desk officers Jean-Christophe Auge and Patrick
Durel, including the suggestion that French FM Kouchner
consider asking the Syrians to renounce their bid when he
visits Damascus (now scheduled for August 25).
2. (C) Pouille stated that France firmly opposes Syrian
membership of the BOG for all the reasons we stated in our
demarche. France is not, however, eager to get into a
full-blown and public confrontation with the relevant
regional groupings to force acceptance of Afghanistan or any
other country other than Syria (or Iran, now that it, too,
may seek the seat). Instead, Pouille continued, France is
prepared to work quietly and behind the scenes to persuade
the MESA bloc to back another candidate. Despite this
willingness, he was skeptical the Arabs would back off their
current position supporting Syria and was especially doubtful
that Jordan, as some have rumored, would willingly step
forward as an alternative. Pouille said France would want to
work with us on this in the weeks ahead.
3. (C) When we asked whether Kouchner might consider
quietly asking the Syrians to withdraw their candidacy,
Pouille replied that he would pass the question up his chain
of command. He acknowledged that it made sense, but he was
non-committal when asked the chances Kouchner might agree.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce
PEKALA