US embassy cable - 05PARIS103

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000103 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR T, NP AND EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2015 
TAGS: PARM, KNNP, PREL, FR 
SUBJECT: IRAN/EU3: GUARDED FRENCH REACTION TO U/S BOLTON 
LETTER TO EU3 POLDIRS 
 
REF: A) 2004 STATE 272394 B) 2004 PARIS 9123 C) 
 
     12/22/04 PELZ E-MAIL 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reason 1 
.4 b/d 
 
1. (C) On January 5, MFA Disarmament Office Deputy Veronique 
Vouland informed us that the MFA had taken on board U/S 
Bolton's letter re Iranian processing activities (reftels). 
She said they had not been surprised by the letter, but she 
also did not indicate whether France agreed with our 
assessment.  She indicated that as Political Director 
Laboulaye had only returned from leave on January 4, a 
decision had not yet been made on how to respond to U/S 
Bolton.  The EU3 might respond individually or as a group, 
she added.  Vouland then provided the same general readout of 
the December 17 Nuclear Working Group and the December 21 
Political and Security Group meetings as provided by Embassy 
Berlin (ref C).  (Note: while Vouland did not indicate how 
the French would address Iran's uranium conversion work, as 
raised by U/S Bolton in his letter, it was clear from our 
discussion that the French believe continued discussions with 
the Iranians are the way to go.) 
 
2. (C) Vouland noted that for the next round of meetings, 
A/S-equivalent Director for Disarmament and Strategic Affairs 
Philippe Carre would represent France at the Political and 
Security Group meeting, DAS-equivalent Disarmament director 
Francois Richier would attend the Nuclear Working Group 
meeting, and DAS-equivalent director for the Middle East 
Department Antoine Sivan would cover the Technology and 
Economic development meetings. 
Leach