Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Search

 

Cablegate: Media Reaction Report - Secretary Rice to Europe -

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 008327

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 - Secretary Rice to Europe -
Alleged CIA Secret Prisons
Iraq
U.S. Military Deployment in Eastern Europe

PARIS - Thursday, December 08, 2005

(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Secretary Rice to Europe - Alleged CIA Secret Prisons

SIPDIS
Iraq
U.S. Military Deployment in Eastern Europe

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

Front pages and editorials focus on the latest controversy
involving Interior Minister Sarkozy and France's history as a
colonial power. But articles continue to report on Secretary
Rice's visit and the controversy over alleged CIA flights and
prisons. Le Monde carries the story on its front page.
President Bush's latest speech on Iraq is analyzed in Le
Figaro. In regional L'Alsace, the editorial comments on the
latest U.S. military base in Romania, "a strategy that is sure
to accentuate Putin's paranoia." (See Part C) Regional
L'Alsace also reports on Secretary Rice's remarks in Kiev
about torture: "In Kiev, Secretary Rice insisted on the fact
that the U.S. did not authorize either torture, nor treatments
that are debasing, in an attempt to pass on a message which is
not going through easily."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Le Monde carries an op-ed by U.S. Ambassador to NATO Victoria
Nuland entitled "New Horizons for NATO." "North America,
Europe, NATO and the EU have a major role to play together and
separately for our future and to promote freedom. It is when
we are united that our efforts are most effective."

France's Environment Minister Nelly Olin pens an op-ed in Le
Figaro entitled: "Climate: It Is Not Too Late." "The challenge
we are facing can be met. But it requires commitment and a
strong mobilization. And the truth is that new options and new
actors are needed. Developing nations must be committed. We
also need the commitment of the U.S. President Bush's refusal
to sign Kyoto puts us in a delicate position. Research and new
technologies is fine, but we also need economic incentives. It
is a good thing that the States from the North Eastern
corridor are preparing a system of exchange for emission
quotas and that California is committed to reducing gas
emissions." President Chirac who addressed the Montreal COP-11
conference via DVC is quoted in Les Echos: "We need exemplary
international cooperation within a re-enforced multilateral
and long-term system."

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Secretary Rice to Europe - Alleged CIA Secret Prisons

SIPDIS

"Europe Embarrassed About CIA Flights"
Alexandrine Bouilhet in right-of-center Le Figaro (12/08):
"Ever since it was revealed, the controversy has been
embarrassing European governments. Yesterday in Brussels it
was discreetly mentioned, but despite Washington's
justifications, the tone remained courteous. Most Europeans
chose to adopt a low profile on the issue in order not to
offend the `iron lady,' especially, and according to a
diplomat from the `Old Europe' ` since most governments were
probably aware of what was going on and since intelligence
services are cooperating in the fight against terrorism.' This
is exactly what Secretary Rice alluded to in her statement
before leaving the U.S. . Embarrassed or taken by surprise,
European governments have yet to admit to anything that might
be compromising, hoping the story will go away. Meanwhile,
legal investigations in Europe may add to their embarrassment,
with questions about who knew, and who knew what. Legally,
some governments may be liable for complicity in abductions or
acts of torture. Even if in matters of national security,
proof is always difficult to get."

"The EU Plans to Investigate"
Jean-Pierre Stroobants in left-of-center Le Monde (12/08):
"Rice's contention that the U.S. has used only legal means,
which exclude torture, in its fight against terrorism, did not
elicit an official reaction from the European Commission: this
is probably a way for Brussels to signify its skepticism and
its dissatisfaction. Unofficially, Brussels considers that
Secretary Rice did not answer the questions put to her. But

SIPDIS
several European experts believe that the investigations into
alleged CIA secret prisons will be very difficult. The CIA
probably closed said prisons the minute the information was
leaked."

Iraq

"Bush Says Reconstruction in Iraq Is Progressing"
Philippe Gelie in right-of-center Le Figaro (12/08): "Hoping
that repetition will have an effect, President Bush gave his
latest speech on Iraq demonstrating a new approach to his
`strategy for victory,' and hoping to convince public opinion.
The new communications strategy is the work of Peter Feaver
who believes that support for the war depends on the level of
confidence in public opinion that there is indeed a chance for
victory. Hence the repetition on the part of the Bush
administration on the progress achieved in Iraq and the
importance of what is at stake. But to date, this new public
relations offensive has born few results."

U.S. Military Deployment in Eastern Europe

"A Foothold in Romania for U.S. Army"
Patrick Fluckiger in regional L'Alsace (12/08): "It is, as
always, in the name of the fight against terrorism that the
Americans are setting up military bases near Romanian oil
fields, and on Russia's doorstep. This strategy is sure to
accentuate the paranoia expressed by Putin, who never misses
an opportunity to say that the West is looking to destabilize
his country. The Kremlin will also take this opportunity to
come down even harder on any democratic ambition exhibited by
those Republics that still remain faithful to him. Eastern
nations which play into the hands of the Americans in this way
contribute to maintaining the tension that had supposedly
disappeared with the Cold War." STAPLETON

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines