Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS2142
2008-11-21 12:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH CAUTIOUS ON IAEA SYRIA REPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO6681 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #2142 3261245 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211245Z NOV 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4907 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 002142
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2023
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA IR TRGY FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTIOUS ON IAEA SYRIA REPORT
REF: STATE 123074
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002142
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2023
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA IR TRGY FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTIOUS ON IAEA SYRIA REPORT
REF: STATE 123074
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche November 20 to Arnaud
Mentre, action officer for Iran in the MFA's ISN-equivalent.
Mentre was phlegmatic about the IAEA report on Iran, noting
that Iran's enrichment seems to be on "autopilot" for the
moment. As for Syria, Mentre offered as an initial
impression that the November 19 report was "preliminary" and
that it would be difficult to build a consensus for a BOG
resolution without "a more substantive report." Poloff noted
that the November 19 report makes clear Syria's failure to
cooperate fully with the IAEA, which combined with the
discovery of man-made uranium particles at the Al-Kibar site
more than justifies a resolution calling on Syria to
cooperate fully with the IAEA investigation. As for the
Technical Cooperation project, Mentre deferred to his
colleagues at the French mission to the IAEA in Vienna to
render an opinion.
2. (C) Comment: Although Mentre's response was just a
preliminary reaction -- he promised to share our demarche
with DAS-equivalent Martin Briens and pass on any further
substantive response -- his reluctance to pursue a resolution
on Syria is unsurprising in light of France's policy of
engaging Damascus with more carrots than sticks.
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2023
TAGS: PGOV PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA IR TRGY FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH CAUTIOUS ON IAEA SYRIA REPORT
REF: STATE 123074
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche November 20 to Arnaud
Mentre, action officer for Iran in the MFA's ISN-equivalent.
Mentre was phlegmatic about the IAEA report on Iran, noting
that Iran's enrichment seems to be on "autopilot" for the
moment. As for Syria, Mentre offered as an initial
impression that the November 19 report was "preliminary" and
that it would be difficult to build a consensus for a BOG
resolution without "a more substantive report." Poloff noted
that the November 19 report makes clear Syria's failure to
cooperate fully with the IAEA, which combined with the
discovery of man-made uranium particles at the Al-Kibar site
more than justifies a resolution calling on Syria to
cooperate fully with the IAEA investigation. As for the
Technical Cooperation project, Mentre deferred to his
colleagues at the French mission to the IAEA in Vienna to
render an opinion.
2. (C) Comment: Although Mentre's response was just a
preliminary reaction -- he promised to share our demarche
with DAS-equivalent Martin Briens and pass on any further
substantive response -- his reluctance to pursue a resolution
on Syria is unsurprising in light of France's policy of
engaging Damascus with more carrots than sticks.
STAPLETON