THE FRENCH ARE STILL DELIBERATING ON ENGAGING

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002195

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR GG FR NATO
SUBJECT: THE FRENCH ARE STILL DELIBERATING ON ENGAGING
GEORGIA IN INTENSIFIED DIALOGUE

REF: STATE 51994

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


1. (C) Using reftel points, pol/mil officer sought on April 3
MFA support for NATO to begin Intensified Dialogue on
Membership Questions with Georgia. MFA DAS-equivalent
director for NATO/ESDP issues, Nicolas Niemtchinow, received
our points, but declined any substantive comment, indicating
that French political leaders had not come to any final
conclusions on next steps for Georgia. He confirmed that the
MFA would keep us informed as a position evolves.


2. (C) During EUR A/S Fried's March 31 consultations with MFA
Political Director Stanislas de Laboulaye and A/S-equivalent
Director for Strategic Affairs Philippe Carre, they indicated
that France, in formulating its final position, would want to
take into account possible Russian reactions to closer ties
with Georgia (septel).


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

Stapleton