PAKISTAN RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE: FRENCH

UNCLAS PARIS 007828 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/IFD/ODF, SA, AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EFIN PREL PAK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE: FRENCH ASSISTANCE AND PARTICIPATION REF: A. STATE 208903 ¶B. STATE 200915 ¶C. MERTEN-GARBER TELCON 17 NOV 05 (SBU) French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy will lead the French delegation to Islamabad for the earthquake reconstruction conference. In response to Ref A demarche, Cooperation (USAID-equivalent) Counselor for Economic Affairs for the Middle-East and the Americas Gilles-Henry Garault told Econ Couns that Douste-Blazy will announce 80 million euros in concessional loans to Pakistan in earthquake relief and 1.5 million euros in grants for "studies." He said that these amounts had been approved by President Chirac and were relayed by Chirac to President Musharraf personally on 14 November. Garault added that GOF officials share our concern the dire needs in Pakistan. Earlier, poloff also shared Ref A points with MFA Pakistan Desk Officer, Cyril Gerardon, who was unable to comment on the GOF assistance figures. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton