French Regional Paper Slams American Presence Post

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 002552

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

Department for EUR/WE, EUR/PPD, EB


E. O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PINR KPAO EIND FR ADIP ODPC
SUBJECT: French Regional Paper Slams American Presence Post
as "Economic Intelligence" Post


1.(U) On April 12, the Toulouse-based, left-of-center
regional daily "La Depeche du Midi" published an article on
alleged U.S. economic intelligence gathering in Europe,
with a short sidebar article entitled "The True Role of the
American Presence Post." The front page headline, "When
America Plunders Europe, " featuring a picture of President
Bush standing on the CIA seal, announced the story which
ran on page 3. The sidebar alleges that the "discreet"
APP, with its "maximum security measures" dedicates itself
to "economic intelligence and lobbying" for American
businesses. It goes on to say that APPs in France should not
be confused with the "consulates" in Marseille and Strasbourg.
Noting the "antenna" in Toulouse was opened in 1999, the
article goes on to name the other APPs, noting that the
"infiltration" of the APPs is such that one, Bordeaux, is
co-located with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

2.(U) The feature article is entitled "America's Other War."
It asserts that besides being on a war-footing over Iraq and
Bin Ladin, the United States is leading a "secret war"
across five continents to "maintain the political and
economic leadership of America in the world." It notes that,
since President Clinton's administration,the United States has
"made economic security its number one objective in its
foreign policy." Another sidebar article interviews Bernard
Carayon, a French UMP deputy who is a member of the National
Assembly's Finance Commission and mayor of the southwestern
town of Lavaur. In 2003, he headed a Ministry of Interior
committee and authored a report on economic intelligence issues.
He is currently working on a parliamentary report on "tools of
industrial policy." In the "Depeche" interview, he states that
all of the subcontractors of Airbus (which is based in Toulouse)
are the targets of Americans who wish to "catch up on its
technology lag by any means."

3.(U) With a circulation of just over 200,000, "La Depeche du
Midi" is the only daily published and sold in Toulouse. It
is sold in ten departments of southwest France as well. It
has been directed by the Baylet family for the past fifty
years. Senator Jean-Michel Baylet, who is president of the
Radical Party of the Left (PRG),is its president. The
senior editor, Jean-Christophe Giesbert, is a dual French
and American citizen. He is a son of an American GI who
landed on Normandy on D-Day and the co-author of a book on
D-Day entitled "The Heros of June 6."

4.(U) The Ambassador has written a letter to Mr. Giesbert to
express disappointment with the article on the APP,
stressing the transparent mission of the APPs to better
communicate with France's people, provide American citizen
services and commercial advocacy in key French cities. He
points out that the ten French consular offices in the
United States have similar missions. The English text of
his letter follows below.

5.(U) "Dear Mr. Giesbert,

I was disappointed to read your newspaper's April 11th
article regarding "The Real Role of an American Presence
Post." Past meetings with Depeche du Midi editorial staff
and previous articles in your paper had led me to believe
you clearly understood the mission of these "little
Consulates." That mission does not include economic
intelligence as alleged in your newspaper's article.

As we have explained, these posts focus on service to U.S.
citizens, public diplomacy, and assistance to U.S.
companies interested in working in the region and those
wishing to do business with the United States. American
Presence Posts issue passports to U.S. citizens, register
births abroad, and work with organizations promoting mutual
understanding through cultural and educational exchanges.
On the commercial side, they speak to U.S. companies
wishing to partner with local French businesses, providing
them with contact information for relevant executives and
public information about the business and legal climate.

American companies in the region have developed strong
cooperation with numerous French businesses, providing
significant investment and jobs in both of our countries.
Every business day, the United States and France transact
approximately $1 billion in business with each other, and
the affiliates of American and French companies employ many
of each other's citizens. French investment in the United
States generates 515,000 jobs for Americans, while U.S.
investment in France provides 583,000 jobs.

Business promotion is a normal priority for all diplomatic
offices around the worldU.S. and French. France maintains
consulates in nine U.S. cities, in addition to its Embassy
in Washington, and all ten offices promote French trade and
investment interests across the United States.

The transparent nature of our five American Presence Posts
in France is a testament to the dynamism of Franco-American
relations. In the early 1990s, we were forced to close
Consulates throughout the world, including those in Lyon
and Bordeaux, as new Embassies opened in the former Soviet
Republics. Realizing the importance of France, we
developed the idea of creating one-officer posts in
important French centers with minimal staff and
administrative burdens. Because the term Consulate carries
certain bureaucratic requirements, the American Presence
Post concept was born, and the first U.S. post in Toulouse
was opened.
We encourage you to come visit the APP, meet its staff, and
better learn about "the real role of an American Presence
Post."

6.(SBU) The PAO has spoken directly with the editor, who
assured her that he saw no problem with printing the
Ambassador's letter. Mission officers will meet with Mr.
Giesbert to discuss further the allegations of American
commercial espionage and the alarming characterization of the
APPs.
Leach