DEMARCHE: URGING IRAN TO RESOLVE AMCIT CASES

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001750 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/IR, CA, P AND NSC E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2019 TAGS: CASC PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PROP PTER IR FR SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: URGING IRAN TO RESOLVE AMCIT CASES REF: STATE 129480 Classified By: Classified by Pol M/C Allegrone for Reasons 1.4 b and d. (C) Poloff delivered talking points to the MFA's Iran desk officer Nicolas de Labrusse on December 21, per reftel. De Labrusse likened the cases of the six AMCITs detained or missing in Iran to that of French citizen Clotilde Reiss, who has been detained by the Government of Iran (IRIG) since July for allegedly participating in anti-government demonstrations following the country's controversial presidential elections. He said the Government of France (GOF) manages the effort to gain Reiss' freedom at the highest levels, referring to the President's office. De Labrusse confirmed that France was in regular contact with Iran regarding Reiss and that the GOF "at all levels" would pursue our demarche points with the IRIG. In a separate meeting the same day, PolMinCouns delivered the talking points to Presidential Advisor for the Middle East Nicolas Galey, who undertook to share them with Presidential Diplomatic Advisor Francois Richier, who has the lead on the Iran dossier. Galey was fully supportive, but echoed earlier comments by Richier that France is not in the best position to be an advocate, given the state of relations with Iran, and recommended approaching Moscow for support, as well. RIVKIN