SOMALIA/IGAD: FRENCH MFA AGREES WITH U.S. POSITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001832 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2015 TAGS: PREL SO FR SUBJECT: SOMALIA/IGAD: FRENCH MFA AGREES WITH U.S. POSITION REF: STATE 47850 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot for reasons 1.4 (b/d). (C) France agreed with the U.S. position concerning Somalia and IGAD's proposal to deploy troops there, MFA DAS-equivalent for Central and East Africa Jean-Christophe Belliard told us on March 18, after we conveyed reftel para 12 points to him the day before. Belliard said France "had no problem" with the USG's thinking. He commented that "it makes no sense for Ethiopia and the others" to send troops into Somalia at this time. Doing so would only "complicate current efforts," he added. Belliard indicated that the GOF would express this point of view to others concerned with the issue. Leach