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