US embassy cable - 05PARIS472

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000472 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, EUR/WE, AND T 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2015 
TAGS: KNNP, PARM, PREL, IR, FR 
SUBJECT: EU3-IRAN - FRENCH READOUT OF PARIS AGREEMENT 
WORKING GROUP MEETINGS, JANUARY 17-18 
 
REF: LONDON 000539 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reason 1 
.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) We met January 24 with MFA A/S-equivalent Director for 
Strategic Affairs and Disarmament Philippe Carre, who 
travels to Washington January 26-28 for consultations in the 
Department, the NSC, and DOD/OSD.  In response to our 
questions on the EU3-Iran January 17-18 talks, Carre gave us 
a readout similar to the one the British provided to Embassy 
London (reftel).  Carre also noted that the UK would soon be 
providing a briefing on the Iran talks to the G8. 
 
2. (C) Carre confirmed that the workings of the nuclear group 
were key to the overall talks and that its conclusions took 
precedence over the other two working groups 
(political/security and technology cooperation).  In this 
respect, none of the working group meetings produced much, he 
stated, although he cautioned that this was still among the 
first in a series of monthly meetings.  Based on existing 
contacts, Carre concluded that the Iranians were not ready to 
make progress in the nuclear working group.  In the 
political/security group, the EU3 did not go along with 
Iranian efforts to limit counter-terrorism discussions to 
just Al-Qaeda and the MEK.  In the technology group, the 
Iranians asked for help with airplane technology, but the EU3 
deferred as this was linked to the U.S. embargo on Iran and 
the EU3 has avoided discussing the U.S. with Iran. 
 
3. (C) Returning to the discussions on the nuclear working 
group, Carre was downbeat on the outcome of talks to date 
since the Iranians are "not ready or willing to make 
concessions."  He expressed the hope that they could move 
forward as talks gather momentum and as the Iranians begin to 
understand that the EU3 is not seeking to create problems for 
them.  For now, Carre added, the EU3 have been very clear on 
the importance of indefinite suspension.  It was also clear, 
however, that the Iranians would only be prepared to suspend 
enrichment activities when they are ready, and not in 
reaction to any "carrots" that the EU3 might offer.  During 
Foreign Minister Barnier's recent visit to Moscow, he 
discussed Iran with them as the Russians are pushing a 
similar line on the need for indefinite suspension.  "What we 
are trying to do is to reinforce how serious we are in the 
EU, but we are uncertain of the outcome of the Iran talks," 
Carre said. 
 
4. (C) Carre ventured that the internal dynamics in Iran are 
very important -- not everyone in Iran is looking for a 
successful outcome, while those doing the negotiating have to 
demonstrate that they haven't given in to the interests of 
the west.  The March elections in Iran are likely influencing 
the discussions, he added.  Meanwhile, with respect to the 
U.S. approach, French Political Director Laboulaye and his 
EU3 colleagues are seeking greater U.S. engagement, hence 
their own trip to Washington this week.  The EU3 does not 
believe that failure of the negotiations is in anyone's 
interest.  While we must remain skeptical of Iranian 
intentions, skepticism by itself is not a policy, he 
cautioned. 
Leach