FRENCH RESPONSE TO NICARAGUAN MANPADS DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004661

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2015
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL PTER MASS FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO NICARAGUAN MANPADS DEMARCHE

REF: A. STATE 100646

B. 06/23/05 SCHARLING-DESK E-MAIL

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Poloffs delivered demarche (ref A) June 20 to MFA
desk officer for small arms and light weapons (SA/LW)
Jean-Francois Guillaume and July 1 to MFA DAS-equivalent for
Central America and the Caribbean Gilles Bienvenu. Guillaume
indicated that the GOF is focused on the destruction of arms
in Africa, making it unlikely that France has the resources
to help with the destruction of MANPADS in Nicaragua if
needed in the future. Bienvenu responded that the GOF shared
our concerns on the potential risks that MANPADS posed. He
believed that the GOF would be willing to relay these
concerns to EU members in Managua and in Brussels at the next
COLAT meeting and suggested that Germany, as president of the
EU group in Managua, should deliver a demarche to the GON and
appropriate National Assembly members on behalf of the EU.
However, Bienvenu cautioned that, as a sovereign state,
Nicaragua had a right to self-defense. As a result, he
thought any demarche would push for reduction rather than
outright destruction of all MANPADS stocks.

2. (SBU) Bienvenu responded to a question on French support
for the Sandinistas by noting that, while they had enjoyed
the sympathy of the French left during the 1980's, he did not
believe there were currently many ties. He was not aware of
any group presently supporting them, did not know of any
French Parliamentary motions of support, and indicated there
was not a Sandinista lobby present in France. As anecdotal
evidence, Bienvenu offered that last year the MFA had trouble
finding participants interested in Nicaragua to attend a
breakfast for the outgoing Ambassador.


3. (SBU) Comment: In response to ref B, Post welcomes
additional talking points for use as appropriate, but does
not believe a more extensive PD campaign would be productive.
Nicaragua seems below the radar of most in France, and
drawing attention to the situation risks generating reactive
support for the Sandinistas. End Comment.
STAPLETON