NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN - FRANCE ALSO

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007329 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015 TAGS: MARR AEMR EAID MASS PREF FR EUN NATO SUBJECT: NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN - FRANCE ALSO CONTRIBUTING THROUGH EU AND NGOS REF: A) STATE 194572 B) STATE 196411 C) RECINOS/MCGINNIS 10/21 E-MAIL Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1 .4 B/D We made reftel demarches to MFA NATO desk officers October 21 (ref c),who stated they would share information on French efforts with us this week. On October 26, MOD and MFA sources confirmed that France is participating in NATO relief efforts, specifically through the NRF, with two French C-130s helping to deliver UN aide from Turkey to Pakistan. Some 60 French military personnel have been assigned to coordinate Pakistan relief in Ramstein, Incirlik, Turkey, Lisbon and in Islamabad. France is also providing assistance through the EU. Our GOF contacts note that MI-17 helicopters are not available in France (ref B),and point to former Warsaw Pact countries as the logical source for Russian helicopters. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON