Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS549
2005-01-28 19:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH RESPONSE TO GROSSMAN LETTER ON CARTAGENA

Tags:  OPDC PGOV PREL SNAR ECON FR CO 
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UNCLAS PARIS 000549 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PGOV PREL SNAR ECON FR CO
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO GROSSMAN LETTER ON CARTAGENA
CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 14571

UNCLAS PARIS 000549

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PGOV PREL SNAR ECON FR CO
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO GROSSMAN LETTER ON CARTAGENA
CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 14571


1. DCM delivered reftel letter to MFA Political Director
Stanislas de Laboulaye on January 26. Below is an informal
translation of his response, received January 28. (Original
French being faxed to EUR/WE)


2. BEGIN TRANSLATION OF LETTER:

Dear Marc,

As you underline in your letter, President Uribe has obtained
a considerable improvement in security conditions in two and
a half years, facilitating the economic revival of his
country. We support the policy seeking to restore the
authority of the state on the whole of Colombian territory,
conforming to the London declaration of July 10, 2003, to
which we attach the greatest importance.

France is, however, preoccupied by the conditions in which
the process of demobilization of the paramilitaries -- which
we support in principle -- is unfolding. Today, there is no
judicial framework that permits the guarantee that the
principles of justice, truth, and reparations in this process
of demobilization be respected. We should among other things
remain vigilant as to the growing influence of paramilitaries
in the life of the country, including at the political level.
It thus appears premature to us to implicate ourselves in
this process. This position was expressed by the EU in the
conclusions of the General Affairs Council dated December 13.

We equally attach the greatest importance to the situation of
the hostages. Like the United States, France is directly
concerned by this question. Our countrywoman Ingrid
Betancourt has been held captive by the FARC for three years
now, as have three American citizens. In this regard, France
favors the conclusion of a humanitarian accord. We believe
that the Colombian authorities must strive to apply
international humanitarian law and to respect their
international engagements in this domain

Finally, France feels that if some efforts have been achieved
by the Colombian authorities in making contact with the
paramilitaries, and, to a lesser degree, with the ELN, no
progress is visible with regard to the FARC. It is certainly
difficult to establish a dialogue with this guerrilla group,
but we believe that no effort should be spared in the search
for an agreement and we hope that the Colombian authorities
will involve themselves more on this path.

The Cartagena conference of February 3 and 4, 2005, will be
the opportunity to discuss all these difficult questions.
France will be represented at this conference by Mr. Daniel
Parfait, Director of the Americas and the Caribbean at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Faithfully Yours,

Stanislas de Laboulaye

END TRANSLATION OF LETTER
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