Cablegate: Media Reaction Report - Middle East Iran European

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006914

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR; IIP/RW; IIP/RNY; BBG/VOA; IIP/WEU; AF/PA;
EUR/WE /P/SP; D/C (MCCOO); EUR/PA; INR/P; INR/EUC; PM; OSC ISA
FOR ILN; NEA; WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE; DOC FOR ITA/EUR/FR
AND PASS USTR/PA; USINCEUR FOR PAO; NATO/PA; MOSCOW/PA;
ROME/PA; USVIENNA FOR USDEL OSCE.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Middle East Iran European
Issues: Turkey
PARIS - Friday, October 07, 2005

(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Middle East
Iran
European Issues: Turkey

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

Prime Minister Villepin was the guest of a two-hour television
talk show last evening. His performance is today's major front-
page story. Popular Le Parisien calls him a "Charmer" while Le
Figaro headlines "Villepin Defends His Choices." Liberation
devotes its editorial to his Gaullist political line. The
subject of illegal immigration makes today's front page in
Liberation while Le Figaro speaks of "the Challenge of
Immigration" in its editorial, just as Interior Minister
Sarkozy warps up a one-day trip to Libya to contain African
immigration to Europe.

The economic and financial press report on the launching of
the A350, "without European subsidies." EADS co-President
Thomas Enders is interviewed in Les Echos: "The question here
for Airbus is to fight with equal weapons with Boeing. If the
EU and the U.S. want to define new rules, fine. But as long as
there is no new system, we must take into account the fact
that Boeing receives public and indirect subsidies. I have
never understood why the reimbursable advances, with interest,
from our governments are criticized more than Boeing's
subsidies. We want to avoid a lengthy procedure before the
WTO. Our gesture confirms our desire to find a solution to
the conflict through negotiations. And we expect Boeing to
adopt a conciliatory initiative. It is neither in our interest
nor in the interest of Boeing to launch a trade war. We want
equal rules of competition."

Liberation reports on the proposed Bill against torturing
prisoners "ardently defended by Senator McCain. A challenge to
the White House, which is threatening to veto the Bill. But
few have taken the threat seriously: opposing one's veto to a
text that prohibits torture would not go down well."

The publication in France of a book by former U.S. soldier
Jimmy Massey titled "Kill, Kill, Kill" which was announced
yesterday in communist l'Humanite is front-paged in popular
right-of-center France Soir: "We Are Murdering Civilians"
Massey is quoted. Inside, a two-page spread reports on
Massey's experience and interviews the former Marine: "The
difference between Lynndie England and us, is that she was
caught."

The EU-Turkey negotiations elicit a harsh commentary from
columnist Ivan Rioufol. In other international news, the role
of Iran to destabilize Iraq is reported in Le Figaro while La
Croix reports on King Abdallah of Jordan's role in bringing
together Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas.

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Middle East

"Abdallah of Jordan, Mediator of Peace"
Agnes Rotivel in Catholic La Croix (10/07): "Mandated by the
Americans, Abdallah of Jordan can be proud of having brought
together two men who were no longer speaking to each other.
The meeting between Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled for
October 11. King Abdallah is naturally following in his
father's footsteps. President Bush, who wants to get Arab
leaders more involved in resolving their region's conflicts,
wants to believe that by sending King Abdallah as his
messenger, the message has a better chance of being heard than
if it comes directly from the Bush administration. Especially
considering the atmosphere of mistrust that prevails in the
Arab world about Washington-led initiatives."

Iran

"London Denounces Iran's Interference in Iraq"
Georges Malbrunot in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/07): "After
the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, it is London's turn to accuse Iran
of helping the Iraqi rebellion. It is not in Iran's interest
to see the Americans succeeding in Iraq. The emergence of a
Shiite democracy in Iraq could indeed weaken the Iranian
Mullahs. Since the beginning of the summer, a new piece of the
puzzle has emerged, with Iran helping Sunni armed groups. Iran
does not want to put all of its eggs in the same basket:
helping the pro-American Shiite leaders in Baghdad does not
preclude logistical aid to the anti-American Shiite militia."

European Issues: Turkey

"Turkey in Europe: the Price to Pay for Contempt"
Ivan Rioufol in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/07): "To a large
majority, the people of Europe have said no to Turkey. This is
why the betrothal with Ankara imposed by the EU-25 is an
insult to democracy. The EU is courting its own death when it
does not listen to its people or accept to analyze their
reactions to globalization. Once again the EU leaders' angelic
stance is clashing with the people's clairvoyance. By inviting
Turkey to join in this European profit-based economic club,
the elites hope to keep at bay the clash between
civilizations. But who says that Turkey's 90 percent Muslim
population is ready to give up its identity? Austria tried by
itself to be the European people's advocate. No country came
to its rescue: Austria had to capitulate in the face of an
imperial Turkey aided by the U.S. . It is highly improbable
that Europe will be able to impose its values on Turkey. And
who can guarantee that `European' Turkey will give up its so-
called moderate `Islamism?' There is a fascination among
European leaders with Islam and its proselytism. The price to
pay will be a `Balkanization' of Europe." STAPLETON

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