Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE262
2009-06-05 09:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
GABONESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO2877 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLC #0262 1560946 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 050946Z JUN 09 ZDK CORRECTING PARAGRAPH 4 MARKINGS ZDK FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1203 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000262
C O R R E C T E D COPY - correcting paragraph 4 marking
SIPDIS
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
KINSHASA PLEASE ALSO PASS CHARLES FORD AND EMBASSY
BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB IR
SUBJECT: GABONESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS IRAN
Classified By: Political Officer Christopher Gunning for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000262
C O R R E C T E D COPY - correcting paragraph 4 marking
SIPDIS
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
KINSHASA PLEASE ALSO PASS CHARLES FORD AND EMBASSY
BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB IR
SUBJECT: GABONESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS IRAN
Classified By: Political Officer Christopher Gunning for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) According to the French Ambassador to Gabon, Gabonese
Foreign Minister Paul Toungui recently visited Tehran where
he and Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki talked about visas,
improving economic relations, and establishing regular talks
between Gabon and Iran. The French Ambassador said that
Toungui downplayed the visit and stated that he does not
expect the two countries to open embassies in the other any
time soon. End Summary.
--------------
Gabon and Iran Affirm Ties
--------------
2. (C) Gabonese Foreign Minister Paul Toungi discussed his
recent trip to Tehran with French Ambassador to Gabon
Jean-Didier Roisin, who reported the discussion with
Ambassador Reddick. Toungui noted that he traveled to Tehran
for only 24 hours and in response to a direct request of the
Iranian Government. Four agreements were signed which are to
promote travel, increase talks between the foreign
ministires, establish a joint-economic forum, and lay the
groundwork to open embassies in the two countries. Toungui
underscored the visit as ¬ a big deal,8 and that neither
country would open a new embassy in the other country any
time soon.
3. (C) Foreign Minister Toungui and Iranian Foreign Minister
Mottaki signed an agreement allowing for reciprocal
visa-waivers for business people. While a press release from
the Tehran Times claims &political officials8 will also
receive visa-waivers, Toungui reinforced that this is not the
case.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) We suspect the Gabonese foreign minister was deliberately
minimizing the Iranian overture in speaking to a senior
western diplomat. Nevertheless Iranian press reports seem to
have exaggerated the significance of the visit, at least from
Gabon's perspective. End Comment.
REDDICK
C O R R E C T E D COPY - correcting paragraph 4 marking
SIPDIS
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
KINSHASA PLEASE ALSO PASS CHARLES FORD AND EMBASSY
BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB IR
SUBJECT: GABONESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS IRAN
Classified By: Political Officer Christopher Gunning for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) According to the French Ambassador to Gabon, Gabonese
Foreign Minister Paul Toungui recently visited Tehran where
he and Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki talked about visas,
improving economic relations, and establishing regular talks
between Gabon and Iran. The French Ambassador said that
Toungui downplayed the visit and stated that he does not
expect the two countries to open embassies in the other any
time soon. End Summary.
--------------
Gabon and Iran Affirm Ties
--------------
2. (C) Gabonese Foreign Minister Paul Toungi discussed his
recent trip to Tehran with French Ambassador to Gabon
Jean-Didier Roisin, who reported the discussion with
Ambassador Reddick. Toungui noted that he traveled to Tehran
for only 24 hours and in response to a direct request of the
Iranian Government. Four agreements were signed which are to
promote travel, increase talks between the foreign
ministires, establish a joint-economic forum, and lay the
groundwork to open embassies in the two countries. Toungui
underscored the visit as ¬ a big deal,8 and that neither
country would open a new embassy in the other country any
time soon.
3. (C) Foreign Minister Toungui and Iranian Foreign Minister
Mottaki signed an agreement allowing for reciprocal
visa-waivers for business people. While a press release from
the Tehran Times claims &political officials8 will also
receive visa-waivers, Toungui reinforced that this is not the
case.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) We suspect the Gabonese foreign minister was deliberately
minimizing the Iranian overture in speaking to a senior
western diplomat. Nevertheless Iranian press reports seem to
have exaggerated the significance of the visit, at least from
Gabon's perspective. End Comment.
REDDICK