MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES CAR, GUINEA-BISSAU, GUINEA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002789

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015
TAGS: PREL CT PU GV FR
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES CAR, GUINEA-BISSAU, GUINEA

REF: A. PARIS 2725


B. PARIS 2726

Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reason 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) MFA DAS-equivalent for West Africa Bruno Foucher
discussed his portfolios with Africa Watcher on April 20.
Ref A reports his discussion of Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina
Faso; Ref B reports his remarks on Togo. Foucher offered
brief comments on other countries his office oversees.


2. (C) CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Foucher agreed that
General Kolingba's recently stated "price" for supporting a
candidate in the next round of CAR presidential elections was
outrageous. Foucher expressed concern about the pre-election
climate, remarking on the general lack of funds in all
sectors of the economy. He noted possible EU help with a
paving project, salaries from which could inject cash into
the economy. He was not optimistic, however, that much could
be done quickly to bolster the CAR economy. Foucher said
that, while GOF training of the gendarmerie had ended,
France's military contribution to CEMAC's FOMUC, which was
receiving EU funding, would likely continue. He predicted a
one-year renewal on June 30. Foucher expressed concern about
cross-border activity by the Jinjaweed militia groups and the
risk of refugee flows from Sudan.


3. (C) GUINEA-BISSAU: Foucher, saying that he was
"worried" about Guinea-Bissau, commented briefly on former
President Kumba Yala's presidential ambitions. Foucher said
that Kumba Yala enjoyed the support of Senegal's President
Wade, who was grateful for Yala's cooperation with Senegal
over the Casamance separatists. Guinea-Bissau had not
allowed them to enter Guinea-Bissau, with many decamping to
Sierra Leone instead. When asked about whether Portugal had
taken a position on Yala's candidacy, Foucher said that the
Portuguese had not. (NOTE: The GOF is likely to take its
lead from the Portuguese on Guinea-Bissau. END NOTE.)


4. (C) GUINEA: Foucher described GOF efforts to accelerate
engagement with Guinea, which he said were meeting resistance
from within the EU, although Guinea did not carry the same
baggage at the EU as did Togo, on which Germany takes a hard
line. France would like to restart economic cooperation.
Foucher mentioned "envelope B," which could make possible a
total of over 100 million euros in credit, and "envelope A,"
which could be used to support elections. Foucher mentioned
briefly French work with the IFIs on Guinea. He noted that
Guinea's Prime Minister met recently with GOF
Minister-Delegate for Cooperation Darcos and explained
Guinea's need for assistance.
WOLFF