G-8: FRENCH QUESTIONS ON REGIONAL DIALOGUE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003463

SIPDIS

STATE FOR E, EB, SA AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL AF FR
SUBJECT: G-8: FRENCH QUESTIONS ON REGIONAL DIALOGUE FOR
AFGHANISTAN

REF: STATE 91032

Classified By: ECON Kenneth Merten as CONFIDENTIAL for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (U) This contains a request for guidance, see paragraph 5.


2. (C) Per ref request, Econ Chief discussed reftel talking
points with Foreign Ministry G-8 Officer, Cyril Pierre.
Pierre, was unaware of any prior discussion of such a
regional dialogue on Afghanistan in the broader discussions
in the framework of the G-8. He noted that the goals as
noted reftel were laudable and that France would probably
have little difficulty in supporting the overall thrust of
the initiative. However, he said he would have to discuss
the issue with his colleagues in the MFA's equivalent of the
regional bureau before he could pronounce on that
definitively.


3. (C) Pierre posed several questions the answers to which,
he suggested, would help shape the GOF response. He asked
whether we were convinced that the G-8 was the best forum in
which to support such a dialogue and whether we had explored
other possibilities? He opined that it was probably too late
to include this in the preparations for the summit and noted
that the British presidency and G-8 countries had already
agreed to limit the focus to two other major issues; did we
envision adding this item as a third? He asked at what level
did we envision this being discussed? He offered that it
would more than likely be prepared by the PolDirs and agreed
upon at the Foreign Ministers' level. Pierre was unaware of
UK officials having contacted the GOF reporting on Foreign
Secretary Straw's "receptivness" to Ambassador Khalizad's

SIPDIS
outline of the Dialogue.


4. (U) Poloff also presented reftel points to the MFA
DAS-equivalent for South Asia, Anne Grillo-Nebout, and the
Afghanistan Desk Officer Cyril Gerardon. Geardon hoped to
get back to us with a more detailed response during the week
of 22 May.


5. (U) Request for guidance: Embassy would appreciate
guidance to respond to the questions Pierre posed in
paragraph 3.
WOLFF