STATUS REPORT ON G-8 ANTICORRUPTION/TRANSPARENCY

UNCLAS PARIS 003049 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PREL FR SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT ON G-8 ANTICORRUPTION/TRANSPARENCY PILOTS: FRANCE REF: STATE 76781 ¶1. (SBU) Per ref request, Econ Chief discussed reftel non-paper and talking points with Foreign Ministry G-8 Officer, Cyril Pierre. Pierre, after digesting the U.S. information, noted that it was interesting and thanked Econ Chief for sharing the "status of U.S. compacts." Pierre noted that while France supports the anti-corruption and transparency compacts and agrees with the plan as negotiated at Sea Island, it continues to have certain reservations about the Sea Island program. He reminded Econ Chief that each G-8 country was to follow up with the pilot countries bilaterally and "voluntarily" and that each pilot country was to be considered on a case-by-case basis. ¶2. (SBU) After his disclaimer, Pierre again said he appreciated the U.S. initiative in sharing the information on USG activities. The GOF had not had its interagency meeting to discuss how they would proceed and what they would/should say at the next FASS meeting. Pierre noted that France had few bilateral interests or programs in Nicaragua or Peru and only slightly more in Georgia. Nevertheless, he noted that they were interested in Nigeria, and particularly in the anti-corruption initiatives undertaken in recent months by Nigerian Minister of Finance Ngozi. Therefore, he continued, while GOF programs under the anti-corruption/transparency compacts were unlikely with Georgia, Nicaragua and Peru, the GOF is more likely to undertake an initiative with the Nigerians. Pierre was unwilling to speculate on what kind of program(s) the GOF might propose to Nigeria in advance of their interagency preparatory meeting. ROSENBLATT