US embassy cable - 05PARIS4920

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004920 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015 
TAGS: EAID, PREL, IR, LE, SY, TU, UZ, FR, UN 
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON JULY 18 GAERC 
 
REF: STATE 124856 
 
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso 
ns 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U) We delivered reftel points on July 6 to Caroline 
Ferrari, sous-directeur for EU External Relations, and 
Jean-Louis Falconi, Chief of the MFA's CFSP unit.  We 
discussed the points with Ferrari on July 8 and with Falconi 
on July 15. 
 
Turkey 
------ 
 
2. (C) Ferrari noted that she expected that negotiations for 
EU accession would begin as scheduled on October 3, but 
highlighted again that this would be a long process. 
 
UN September HLE 
---------------- 
 
3. (C) Falconi noted that the Europeans had already stated 
their position on the HLE at their June 16-17 European 
Council (available at www.eu2005.lu) -- at which they noted, 
among other conclusions, that Africa is a development 
priority for the Europeans; that they had decided on a new 
collective EU target of a ratio of 0.56 percent of Official 
Development Assistance to Gross National Income (ODA/GNI), 
which would result in an additional 20 billion euros a year 
for development assistance from the EU; and that the EU 
remains determined to find an agreement on the scope and 
arrangements for further multilateral debt relief, while it 
welcomed the G8 agreement to grant 100 percent debt relief to 
the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries.  Falconi also noted that 
EU External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will make 
a presentation at the September event. 
 
Syria/Lebanon 
------------- 
 
4. (C) Falconi mentioned that Terje Roed-Larsen would be 
reporting to the foreign ministers on the situation in 
Lebanon.  He said the preoccupations for the Europeans are 1) 
to to consolidate Lebanese sovereignty 2) not to pressure 
Syria too toughly too publicly; 3) to end the blockade of the 
Lebanese border.  Falconi said that the Europeans are quite 
firm with Syria, but that they believe that they must deal 
with Damascus in a low-profile manner so as not to harden the 
Syrians' position.  He said that the West must sensitize 
Syria to its responsibilities in the region, especially 
vis-a-vis implications for terrorism.  Ferrari also remarked 
on the differing positions of the U.S. and France on Syria, 
noting "you know we do not agree with you," implying that the 
French will support forward movement on Syria's Association 
Agreement. 
 
Iran 
---- 
 
5.  (C) On Iran, Falconi noted that the French were also 
surprised by Ahmedinejad's victory, but said, "He's there 
now" and that it would be counter-productive to address him 
in a defiant tone before seeing how he performs.  He said the 
French would advocate a wait-and-see attitude for that 
reason.  He also noted that the EU3 are in the midst of 
preparing their offer for the Iranians, confirming that it 
would contain the red line that the Iranians could not resume 
enrichment of uranium.  He said the EU3 offer would be 
"transparent and honest," and that if the Iranians refused 
the package, their intent would be clear.  He repeated that 
the Europeans need strong international (read: U.S.) backing 
for their efforts. 
 
Uzbekistan 
---------- 
 
6. (C)  Falconi called the EU position on Uzbekistan "pretty 
firm" while characterizing the U.S. position as "ambiguous," 
contrasting that with the solidarity that he said is 
necessary from all actors in the region to press for reform. 
He noted that new OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de 
Brichambaut is slated to make his initial visit to Uzbekistan 
by the end of July, and said the French will reserve any 
judgment on whether to invoke the Moscow Mechanism until 
after they have heard his report.  Falconi conceded that 
several member states believe that the EU should harden its 
position against Karimov, but said that their relative 
firmness thus far has yet to bear any fruit. 
 
Middle East 
----------- 
 
7. (C) Falconi said the EU will condemn the deteriorating 
security situation.  He noted that the violence is 
counter-productive for the Palestinians and for their efforts 
to establish strong relations between the Israelis and Abbas. 
 Even if Abbas criticizes the attacks, he said, they are a 
fact.  Falconi said the Europeans will support Special Envoy 
Wolfensohn in his long-term plan to assure the viability of a 
Palestinian state.  He said that the dynamic that exists now 
for change must not be stopped. 
STAPLETON