Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS2270
2005-04-05 15:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH VIEWS ON NEW U.S. SOUTH ASIA STRATEGY
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002270
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2015
TAGS: PREL MASS IN AF PK FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH VIEWS ON NEW U.S. SOUTH ASIA STRATEGY
REF: A. SECSTATE 55644
B. PARIS 02135
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso ns 1.4(b) and (d).
On April 4 POLOFF spoke with India desk officer, Louis Vassy, who said that he had met with MFA DAS-level director of South Asia bureau, Anne Grillo-Nebout, to discuss U.S. plans to broaden its strategic partnership with South Asia as outlined in reftel A. Vassy said that the GOF had anticipated that the U.S. would eventually sell F-16s to Pakistan; therefore, he explained, reftel points concerning Pakistan came ""as no surprise;"" though, he added, he was curious as to how Indian officials reacted to the news. He explained that, in contrast to the U.S. approach of balanced relationships with both India and Pakistan, the GOF has focused its attention primarily on its relations with India. Because of this, he said, the GOF is chiefly interested in how the U.S. will work to strengthen its commercial and political ties with New Delhi. Vassy said that France made special note of U.S. plans to foster dialogue aimed at expanding high technology cooperation and promoting nuclear safety. He said that France is interested in knowing Washington's thoughts on how to expand nuclear cooperation with India in light of NPT restrictions. He indicated that France would like to do the same but that the international framework does not provide much room to maneuver, adding that France would welcome dialogue between Paris and Washington on this subject. He said that France also made note of U.S. plans to allow companies to participate in the bidding process for India's purchase of Multi-Role Combat Aircraft and predicted that there would be several bidders for the contract.
LEACH "
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2015
TAGS: PREL MASS IN AF PK FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH VIEWS ON NEW U.S. SOUTH ASIA STRATEGY
REF: A. SECSTATE 55644
B. PARIS 02135
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso ns 1.4(b) and (d).
On April 4 POLOFF spoke with India desk officer, Louis Vassy, who said that he had met with MFA DAS-level director of South Asia bureau, Anne Grillo-Nebout, to discuss U.S. plans to broaden its strategic partnership with South Asia as outlined in reftel A. Vassy said that the GOF had anticipated that the U.S. would eventually sell F-16s to Pakistan; therefore, he explained, reftel points concerning Pakistan came ""as no surprise;"" though, he added, he was curious as to how Indian officials reacted to the news. He explained that, in contrast to the U.S. approach of balanced relationships with both India and Pakistan, the GOF has focused its attention primarily on its relations with India. Because of this, he said, the GOF is chiefly interested in how the U.S. will work to strengthen its commercial and political ties with New Delhi. Vassy said that France made special note of U.S. plans to foster dialogue aimed at expanding high technology cooperation and promoting nuclear safety. He said that France is interested in knowing Washington's thoughts on how to expand nuclear cooperation with India in light of NPT restrictions. He indicated that France would like to do the same but that the international framework does not provide much room to maneuver, adding that France would welcome dialogue between Paris and Washington on this subject. He said that France also made note of U.S. plans to allow companies to participate in the bidding process for India's purchase of Multi-Role Combat Aircraft and predicted that there would be several bidders for the contract.
LEACH "