FRENCH DEMARCHE TO SOUTH AFRICA ON ARISTIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004830 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015 TAGS: PREL HA SF FR UNSC SUBJECT: FRENCH DEMARCHE TO SOUTH AFRICA ON ARISTIDE REF: A. PRETORIA 2708 ¶B. PARIS 4716 ¶C. PARIS 4660 ¶D. STATE 121144 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA Southern Africa DAS-equivalent Remi Marechaux called Embassy Africa watcher July 11 to report that the French DCM in Pretoria had raised Aristide's activities in South Africa with the SAG July 8. Marechaux said that the DCM met with DFA DDG for Americas and Europe Ndumiso Ntshinga, who was familiar with the issue following his meeting with Ambassador Frazer the previous day (ref A). ¶2. (C) Marechaux related that Ntshinga said that the SAG had no information on any plans by Aristide to return to Haiti. Ntshinga told the French DCM that the SAG would not support any effort by Aristide to return, asking for more information so that "we (the SAG) don't shoot in the dark." Ntshinga told the French that he would share the French concern about Aristide's activities with the National Intelligence Agency and ensure that President Mbeki was also informed. ¶3. (C) Marechaux closed by noting that French FM Douste-Blazy would be meeting with South African Foreign Minister Zuma July 13, and that Aristide was on the French agenda. STAPLETON