Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS3232
2005-05-12 10:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
DARFUR: FRENCH POSITION ON NATO ROLE
how-toThis 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 003232
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS SU FR EUN
SUBJECT: DARFUR: FRENCH POSITION ON NATO ROLE
REF: STATE 87278
Classified By: CDA Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003232
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS SU FR EUN
SUBJECT: DARFUR: FRENCH POSITION ON NATO ROLE
REF: STATE 87278
Classified By: CDA Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Drawing on reftel points, Charge raised a possible
NATO role in Darfur with MFA Political Director Stanislas de
Laboulaye May 11. Charge said French opposition to a NAC
meeting with AU SYG Konare was not consistent with FM
Barnier's assurances that Paris would not object to a NATO
role in Sudan. We had heard reports that Konare might be
rethinking his visit to Brussels, perhaps because of concerns
about getting between the EU and NATO. This would be a
setback to both organizations. Laboulaye, who said he was
not aware of French opposition to a NAC meeting with Konare,
seemed surprised to hear that Konare was considering
canceling his trip to Brussels. Referring to FM Barnier's
May 2 assurance to the Secretary that France would not block
a NATO role, Laboulaye recalled that Barnier had also stated
that the GoF had been unenthusiastic, but that Konare's
letter requesting NATO assistance had changed the situation.
2. (C) On the issue of Konare meeting with the NAC, Laboulaye
wondered whether such a meeting was essential, suggesting
that a meeting with NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer
would suffice. Charge countered that a meeting with the NAC
would be both appropriate given Konare's stature and more
practical since it would enable Permreps to understand
directly from Konare what was needed. Laboulaye said that if
Konare met with the NAC, he should also meet with the EU PSC.
Charge said we had no problem with that. Laboulaye, who
stated that he had no religion on the matter, indicated a NAC
meeting should not be a problem. He said he was confident
this was the view of the French government, but he would
check once more.
3. (C) Laboulaye telephoned Charge subsequently to confirm
that France had no problem with a NAC-Konare meeting. He
reiterated, however, French understanding that Konare had not
requested such a meeting. Charge said that should not deter
NATO from offering it.
4. (U) KHARTOUM MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
WOLFF
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS SU FR EUN
SUBJECT: DARFUR: FRENCH POSITION ON NATO ROLE
REF: STATE 87278
Classified By: CDA Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Drawing on reftel points, Charge raised a possible
NATO role in Darfur with MFA Political Director Stanislas de
Laboulaye May 11. Charge said French opposition to a NAC
meeting with AU SYG Konare was not consistent with FM
Barnier's assurances that Paris would not object to a NATO
role in Sudan. We had heard reports that Konare might be
rethinking his visit to Brussels, perhaps because of concerns
about getting between the EU and NATO. This would be a
setback to both organizations. Laboulaye, who said he was
not aware of French opposition to a NAC meeting with Konare,
seemed surprised to hear that Konare was considering
canceling his trip to Brussels. Referring to FM Barnier's
May 2 assurance to the Secretary that France would not block
a NATO role, Laboulaye recalled that Barnier had also stated
that the GoF had been unenthusiastic, but that Konare's
letter requesting NATO assistance had changed the situation.
2. (C) On the issue of Konare meeting with the NAC, Laboulaye
wondered whether such a meeting was essential, suggesting
that a meeting with NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer
would suffice. Charge countered that a meeting with the NAC
would be both appropriate given Konare's stature and more
practical since it would enable Permreps to understand
directly from Konare what was needed. Laboulaye said that if
Konare met with the NAC, he should also meet with the EU PSC.
Charge said we had no problem with that. Laboulaye, who
stated that he had no religion on the matter, indicated a NAC
meeting should not be a problem. He said he was confident
this was the view of the French government, but he would
check once more.
3. (C) Laboulaye telephoned Charge subsequently to confirm
that France had no problem with a NAC-Konare meeting. He
reiterated, however, French understanding that Konare had not
requested such a meeting. Charge said that should not deter
NATO from offering it.
4. (U) KHARTOUM MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
WOLFF