Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS243
2008-02-11 17:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON CONDEMNING THE
how-toVZCZCXRO5075 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHFR #0243 0421734 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 111734Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1934 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0743 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0527 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 1525 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0313 RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA PRIORITY 0480 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE PRIORITY 0532 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 1781
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000243
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM KMPI FR SY
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON CONDEMNING THE
ARREST AND ARRAIGNMENT OF SYRIAN DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS
REF: A. (A) PARIS POINTS FOR JANUARY 29
B. (B) STATE 11025
C. (C) PARIS 216
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4. (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000243
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM KMPI FR SY
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON CONDEMNING THE
ARREST AND ARRAIGNMENT OF SYRIAN DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS
REF: A. (A) PARIS POINTS FOR JANUARY 29
B. (B) STATE 11025
C. (C) PARIS 216
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4. (b),(d).
1. (SBU) The GOF, per ref A, responded rapidly to the
January 28 arrest of Riad Seif and other activists with a
public statement the next day condemning the action and
calling on Syria to respect its commitments under the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As
previously reported, and noted in the statement, the French
continue to take the lead in Damascus among EU missions
requesting permission for Seif to leave Syria to seek much
needed medical treatment in France.
2. (C) French MFA DAS-equivalent for the Levant Ludovic
Pouille told us February 8 that France had lobbied heavily
within the EU for the Slovenian presidency to issue a similar
public statement. As for travel to/from Syria, he denied
that any senior French visitors were en route to Damascus or
any Syrian ones en route to France (apart from a recent visit
by a French National Assembly deputy). Trying to keep other
Europeans from sending senior-level officials to Damascus was
another matter. Despite strenuous French objections, Pouille
claimed the Slovenians planned to include Syria in its EU
presidency tour of the Middle East. He also complained about
the Czech attitude over visitors to Damascus. Pouille also
understood that the Germans would similarly continue to
exchange visitors despite French objections over the visit
last month of Syrian FM Mu'allim to Germany. (Comment: As
reported ref c, French Elysee NEA adviser noted the futility
of the EU imposing travel restrictions on Syrian officials
given the absence of EU unanimity on the need or desirability
of doing so. End comment)
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM KMPI FR SY
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON CONDEMNING THE
ARREST AND ARRAIGNMENT OF SYRIAN DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS
REF: A. (A) PARIS POINTS FOR JANUARY 29
B. (B) STATE 11025
C. (C) PARIS 216
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4. (b),(d).
1. (SBU) The GOF, per ref A, responded rapidly to the
January 28 arrest of Riad Seif and other activists with a
public statement the next day condemning the action and
calling on Syria to respect its commitments under the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As
previously reported, and noted in the statement, the French
continue to take the lead in Damascus among EU missions
requesting permission for Seif to leave Syria to seek much
needed medical treatment in France.
2. (C) French MFA DAS-equivalent for the Levant Ludovic
Pouille told us February 8 that France had lobbied heavily
within the EU for the Slovenian presidency to issue a similar
public statement. As for travel to/from Syria, he denied
that any senior French visitors were en route to Damascus or
any Syrian ones en route to France (apart from a recent visit
by a French National Assembly deputy). Trying to keep other
Europeans from sending senior-level officials to Damascus was
another matter. Despite strenuous French objections, Pouille
claimed the Slovenians planned to include Syria in its EU
presidency tour of the Middle East. He also complained about
the Czech attitude over visitors to Damascus. Pouille also
understood that the Germans would similarly continue to
exchange visitors despite French objections over the visit
last month of Syrian FM Mu'allim to Germany. (Comment: As
reported ref c, French Elysee NEA adviser noted the futility
of the EU imposing travel restrictions on Syrian officials
given the absence of EU unanimity on the need or desirability
of doing so. End comment)
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON