Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS2793
2005-04-26 07:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH RAISE CONTINUED CONCERNS ON BAGHDAD AIRPORT

Tags:  PREL IZ FR 
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This 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 002793 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015
TAGS: PREL IZ FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RAISE CONTINUED CONCERNS ON BAGHDAD AIRPORT
ROAD ACCESS

REF: A. BAGHDAD 1669

B. PARIS 2661

Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002793

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015
TAGS: PREL IZ FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RAISE CONTINUED CONCERNS ON BAGHDAD AIRPORT
ROAD ACCESS

REF: A. BAGHDAD 1669

B. PARIS 2661

Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Senior French MFA and Presidency officials raised
continuing concerns over access to the Baghdad airport road,
on the margins of highly constructive discussions on Iraq
with Senior Advisor and Coordinator for Iraq Ambassador
Richard Jones April 25 (septel). Presidential Advisor on the
Middle East/Americas Dominique Boche expressed thanks for
Embassy Baghdad efforts (ref a),which had satisfied French
concerns on Green Zone access. At the same time, Boche
reiterated continued concern on the airport road, and
stressed that the GoF was still seeking access to the
"protected lane." He stressed that the airport road was more
dangerous than ever, with the number of attacks on the rise,
so this was a sensitive point and high-level concern for the
GoF. MFA A/S-equivalent for Middle East/North Africa
Jean-Francois Thibault raised similar points with Ambassador
Jones, stressing that the GoF was seeking equal treatment in
access to the airport road.


2. (C) Ambassador Jones, in response, noted that Embassy
Baghdad was working with MNF-1 and the Iraqi government on
revising the security and access procedures for the airport,
which had delayed resolution of French concerns. Once the
new system was in place, France would receive the same
treatment as others. Both Boche and Thibault took Ambassador
Jones' points on board, but appeared eager for resolution of
the airport road issue soonest.


3. (C) We appreciate Baghdad's quick response to French
security concerns in Baghdad (reftels) and would welcome
additional updates post can offer on the airport access
issue.


4. (U) Ambassador Jones cleared this message. Baghdad
minimize considered.
WOLFF