FRENCH EMBASSY READOUT OF SARKOZY'S DISCUSSION

S E C R E T DOHA 000053 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2020 TAGS: PREL IR FR QA SUBJECT: FRENCH EMBASSY READOUT OF SARKOZY'S DISCUSSION WITH QATAR'S HEIR APPARENT ON IRAN Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron, for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (S) French Political Counselor Brigitte Curmi shared with P/E Chief Rice February 7 the readout that the French Embassy in Doha received of President Sarkozy's February 4 discussion in Paris with Qatar's Heir Apparent Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the latter's just concluded visit to Tehran. According to Curmi, the discussion on Iran was brief, and Tamim did not/not provide Sarkozy any details on the Qatari delegation's February 3 bilateral discussions with Iranian counterparts, except on the Iranian treatment of protesters. ¶2. (S) Even though Iran is pressuring the GOQ to defend Iran publicly on Tehran's executions of Iranian demonstrators, the Crown Prince said Qatar could not do so. He told Sarkozy that Iran was not giving Qatar any opening in its treatment of the demonstrators that would allow the GOQ to make the public statements Iran's leadership seeks. ¶3. (S) Tamim made three other key points to Sarkozy on Qatar's views of Iran, according to Curmi: -- Qatar recognizes the danger Iran poses to the stability of the region; -- The Gulf would suffer from any military action taken against Iran, so it must be avoided; and -- The GOQ strongly opposes Iran's acquiring nuclear weapons. Lebaron