NAC COMMUNIQUE: DESPITE RESERVATIONS, FRANCE IS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 008172

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE FR NATO
SUBJECT: NAC COMMUNIQUE: DESPITE RESERVATIONS, FRANCE IS
OPEN TO COMPROMISE ON CFE PARAGRAPH

REF: A) STATE 217326 B) 12/1 RECINOS/LAURENDEAU E-MAIL

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1
.4 B/D


1. (C) On December 1, we delivered ref A points to Arnaud
Roux, MFA Counselor following the CFE/Istanbul discussions
and who also will be present at the NAC on December 2. Roux
confirmed that he was aware of the debate on the use of
"either" versus "or" paragraph proposals. He expressed some
surprise about the U.S. position, however, saying that the
MFA had thought the "or" language was a first draft that had
already been superseded by the "either" text.


2. (C) On substance, Roux said France's aim was to ensure
that a decision would be reached at the NAC. The problem was
how to overcome continuing reservations by some countries,
especially Italy, against the use of the words "urge" and
"regret" in the same paragraph. Roux said France is fine
with the use of the word "urge," but was less prepared to
compromise on the use of "regret." The MFA did not support
the inclusion of "regret," especially since it had not been
used in last year's text.


3. (C) In an effort to find another compromise approach, Roux
suggested a combination of the "either" and "or" texts to
read as follows:

"Given the lack of progress on the further withdrawal of
Russian military forces from the Republic of Moldova, we urge
its resumption and completion as soon as possible."


Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

Stapleton