FRENCH RESPONSE TO GROSSMAN LETTER ON CARTAGENA

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 Leach