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