COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES: FRENCH PARTICIPATION

UNCLAS PARIS 002662

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PREL FR
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES: FRENCH PARTICIPATION

REF: STATE 66867


1. France will be represented at the April 28-30 meeting of
the Community of Democracies by MFA IO Director Jean-Maurice
Ripert, who will be accompanied by Ambassador-at-large for
human rights issues Michel Doucen and MFA IO human rights
expert Donatienne Hissard. The French Ambassdor in Santiago
and a member of the embassy staff will complete the French
delegation.


2. Asked about any French initiatives, Hissard told poloff
April 19 that France preferred not to be "in listening mode,"
but that the GoF had received few details from the Chileans
concerning the round tables on various issues. When we cited
examples of initiatives launched since the Seoul ministerial,
and stressed that the USG welcomed creative proposals,
Hissard had no specifics to offer. Hissard queried whether
Under Secretary Dobriansky would be in Santiago, but made no
request for a bilateral meeting.


3. According to the Chilean Embassy in Paris, the Chilean
Director General for political affairs met with Ripert and
MFA Polical Director Stanislas de Laboulaye in early March to
press for high-level attendance. The Chilean Embassy told us
that France had considered sending Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs Renaud Muselier, but that Muselier was
unavailable.
WOLFF