ADDITIONAL FRENCH THOUGHTS FOR NATO SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 001085

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2015
TAGS: MARR PREL FR NATO EUN
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FRENCH THOUGHTS FOR NATO SUMMIT

REF: PARIS 1041

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1
.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Summary: MFA and Presidency advisors preparing for
next week's February 22 NATO summit told us that the EU --
not NATO - is best placed to handle police and gendarme
training for the Iraqis. In line with the comments made by
French Presidency Diplomatic Advisor Maurice
Gourdault-Montagne in reftel, the Elysee pol/mil advisor also
indicated that a final decision had not been made on possible
French contributions to the NATO Trust funds for NTM-I, and
added that such an option was still possible. With respect
to the NATO Summit and the EU-U.S. Ministerial and the
transatlantic relationship, France is keen to build on the
positive momentum generated by Secretary Rice and Secretary
Rumsfeld's recent visits to France. The French do not want
surprises and plan to focus on the general convergence of
views on Afghanistan and efforts by allies to address Iraqi
needs, whether in an EU, NATO or bilateral context. France
also hopes to highlight the positive cooperation between NATO
and European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP),citing the
successful SFOR-EUFOR transfer in Bosnia as an example. End
Summary.

Approaching the NATO Summit
--------------


2. (C) From separate conversations with Laurent Bili, Elysee
pol/mil advisor, Francois Carrel-Billiard, MFA DAS-level
Director for NATO/ESDP issues, and Camille Grand, MOD
Diplomatic Advisor, we understand the French are viewing the
NATO Summit and the US-EU Ministerial as further
opportunities to continue to turn the page in our
transatlantic relationship. Their approach will be to
highlight the positives, abstain from new initiatives, and to
avoid any surprises. Key areas for discussion at NATO will
be our efforts in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and very broadly
on our approach to Iraq. On the Balkans, Grand and
Carrel-Billiard reinforced Defense Minister Alliot-Marie's
message that the situation on the ground does not yet warrant
a reduction of combat troops.

Iraq Trust Funds - No Decision Yet
--------------


3. (C) As noted in reftel, we pressed for a French
contribution to the NATO Trust funds for NTM-I training,
noting that it was important to show unity of purpose at
NATO, in accordance with the Secretary General's objectives.
Bili responded that a French contribution was still possible,
but that a decision had not yet been taken. He expressed
unhappiness that support for NATO might be measured by
whether and by how much a member state contributes to the
Trust Fund. What is more important, he noted, is that we
respond to Iraq's stabilization needs. In defense of the
French position, Carrel-Billiard added that the trust funds
had been set up for those member countries that wished to
contribute to the NTM-I above what the Common Fund was
legally allowed to cover, as well as for those who were not
participating directly in Iraq. NATO schools may cover
tuition costs out of Common funds, for instance, but not
other related costs, such as per diem and transportation,
hence, the need for trust funds. He stressed that France has
been contributing to the NTM-I through Common Fund
contributions. France's share, he noted, amounted to some
2.4 million euros. Lastly, he and Grand said that one must
not forget that allies had agreed that each member could
assist the Iraqis either through bilateral programs, via NATO
directly or through such mechanisms as the trust funds. The
French approach therefore was entirely consistent with NATO
decisions.

EU Training Program
--------------


4. (C) Both Carrel-Billiard and Bili emphasized that the EU,
by virtue of its resources and broader mandate, was better
suited than NATO for civilian and law enforcement training.
Bili noted that following Secretary Rice's visit, President
Chirac had made it clear that he wanted to put past
disagreements behind. Chirac had approved French
participation in an EU mission to provide judicial and rule
of law training in Europe for some 800 senior-level Iraqi
civil servants. France would be the largest contributor to
this program. According to Carrel-Billiard, the EU program,
which is still under development, is separate from France's
existing bilateral offer to provide gendarme training for
1500 Iraqis, at an estimated cost of 15 million euros. This
training could take place in Qatar and in France using
Arabic-speaking instructors, as needed. In response to our
questions about the status of this French offer, Bili said
the Iraqis had not yet responded, but should the Iraqis find
it preferable, France could see folding this offer under an
EU umbrella. Camille said the Iraqis had visited a gendarme
training site during President Yawer visit earlier this year,
but had still not conveyed a decision. The French program
could be ready within a few months, added Grand. When
pressed about a possible transfer of the proposed French
bilateral program to NATO, Bili said France had no such plans
and reiterated the French view that the EU was better suited
for this project.

NATO and Afghanistan -- No to PRTs, maybe on QRF
-------------- ---


5. (C) On Afghanistan, France will cite the convergence of
views on stage 2 expansion and on the eventual merger of
OEF/ISAF under a unified command. It will also focus on the
previously announced contribution of six combat planes in
support of Afghan elections and on French plans to increase
its participation in training the Afghan army. As the
President's diplomatic advisor noted in reftel, Bili and
Carrel-Billiard voiced concern that the OEF/ISAF merger in
Afghanistan not lead to a downsizing of U.S. forces. We
prodded Bili about French contributions to the PRTs and
participation in a Quick Reaction Force (QRF). He said the
Elysee was not likely to change its opinion against
participating in PRTs. (Note: This is a harder line than
that taken by the MOD and the MFA, which tend to be more
agnostic.) On the QRF, Bili and Grand both mentioned that
France was not opposed to participating, but that current
resource commitments, especially in the Balkans and West
Africa, prevented the severely stretched French military from
making any additional commitments at this time.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) While the French profess strong support for NATO, and
can rightly point to their efforts in KFOR, the NRF, and ISAF
as examples, they clearly are missing the point on the
symbolic importance of showing unity on Iraq by making a
contribution to the Trust funds. Ultimately the decision is
Chirac's to make between now and the summit. French interest
in helping Iraq through the EU is motivated, in part, by a
desire to make sure that their preferred institution plays a
central role in Iraqi reconstruction and that French efforts
remain separate from U.S.-led efforts to build Iraq's
security capacity. That NATO already has a training program
underway and that a tangible contribution to the trust funds,
in addition to their Common Fund contributions, would send a
more immediate signal to the Iraqis of French engagement on
this issue is of secondary importance to Paris.


7. (C) The French are hoping for a successful outcome at the
Summit and will therefore seek to downplay differences. We
can expect, however, that France will be prepared to stand
its ground on harder issues, such as the EU intent to lift
their China arms embargo. End Comment.


8. (U) Kabul and Baghdad minimize considered.
Leach