Wikileak [18]: "... minus its exclusive Hariri focus..."

S E C R E T PARIS 002743

SUBJECT: U/S BURNS' JUNE 12 DINNER MEETING WITH FRENCH 

POLITICAL DIRECTOR ARAUD

¶1. (U) June 12, 2007, 8:30 P.M.

¶3. (S) Summary: U/S Burns and Political Director Gerard Araud met June 12 for a lengthy discussion of key bilateral issues,...

Iran/Lebanon

------------

¶15. (C) Burns also reviewed how Iran violated UNSC resolutions by providing arms to Hizballah in Lebanon, which appears to be taking new steps to threaten Israel, and to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Loras responded that, given that the  

evidence on Hizballah arms in Lebanon is not verifiable,  

France is not currently pushing Iran on this issue. Araud  

added that France is trying to keep open its dialogue with  

Larijani on Lebanon.......

¶16. (C) Araud stated that Sarkozy had told President Bush

that France would maintain its policy on Lebanon, minus its exclusive Harriri focus. Sarkozy had also solicited President Bush's advice about talking with Syria. Araud said Sarkozy responded that now is not the time, as Syria remains very destructive. Burns told Araud that the United States  

had been surprised at not having been consulted prior to  

France's recent call for a conference on Lebanon in Paris.  

Araud contritely agreed that consultations in advance were  warranted. Returning briefly to a discussion of the renewal of UNIFIL, MOD advisor Mondoloni revealed that the French military would like to downsize its presence, but that civilian leaders had emphasized to them that political obligations were paramount. ...