FRANCE/WEST AFRICA: AF/W DIRECTOR CARTER'S MFA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 002260 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO OES/IHA, G/AIAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM KFLU GV NI IV LI FR SUBJECT: FRANCE/WEST AFRICA: AF/W DIRECTOR CARTER'S MFA EXCHANGES REF: A. PARIS 2259 B. PARIS 1706 C. 4/6/06 D'ELIA-MEYERS TELCON Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reas ons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Summary: AF/W Director Carter clarified U.S. views on addressing security needs in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire in an April 3 meeting with MFA Acting A/S-Equivalent for Africa Affairs Barbier and DAS-Equivalent Foucher. Carter explained the significance in Monrovia of the Nigerian UNMIL company's return from temporary duty in UNOCI. He also called for the EU to fulfill its pledge to provide electricity to Monrovia. Regarding Cote d'Ivoire, Barbier commented that USG delays in the UNSC sanctions listing process had caused consternation, but the MFA now had a better grasp of USG procedures. France may soon propose new names for listing and hopes the UNSC can act quickly in response. On Guinea-Conakry Carter relayed the USG aim for a constitutional transition that kept the military on the sidelines. Carter raised the economic consequences of avian influenza in West Africa and suggested there may be a need for collaboration on an Africa-specific international response. End Summary. Liberia/Cote d'Ivoire, UNMIL/UNOCI -------------- ¶2. (C) In an April 3 conversation with MFA Acting A/S-Equivalent for African Affairs Elisabeth Barbier and DAS-Equivalent Bruno Foucher, AF/W Director Carter clarified U.S. views on addressing security needs in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. He explained the significance for Monrovia of the Nigerian company's return from temporary deployment to UNOCI, while explaining that the USG continues to back the principle of regional asset transfers among peacekeeping operations, as appropriate. Carter commented that the USG was supportive of considering the reinforcement of UNOCI pending reconfiguration of other UN missions, specifically UNMEE. However, he made clear the USG view that UNOCI's difficulties have less to do with force numbers than with its efficiency, while also noting a lack of definition to UNOCI's actual role. He expressed surprise that UNOCI had opted to use the Nigerian company on temporary loan in effect for force protection rather than force projection. After Foucher asked whether Charles Taylor's arrest would not calm tensions in Liberia, Carter explained the continuing risks from various elements within the country, noting that the next 60 days or so could prove decisive for Liberia. Carter commented that if the Government of Liberia abides by GEMAP requirements, it was possible to envisage lifting the timber sanctions at the UNSC. Carter called on the EU to fulfill its pledge to provide electricity to Monrovia by summer. Barbier inquired whether American investment was now returning to Liberia. ¶3. (C) Regarding Cote d'Ivoire, Carter reiterated that February delays in USG vetting of names submitted for UNSC sanctions had been procedural and did not reflect discrepancies in U.S.-French views. Barbier admitted that there had been considerable consternation, but added that the MFA now had a better grasp of USG internal procedures. (Note: President Chirac's Africa Cell delivered the same message to Carter. Ref. A. End Note.) Foucher stated that France may soon submit additional names for sanctions, specifically Denis Maho Glofiei, the head of the "Forces du Liberation du Grand Ouest" (FLGO). Asked if the French would time submissions in response to further outbreaks of unrest, for instance during Konan Banny's forthcoming travels, Barbier and Foucher each stated emphatically that listings should remain delinked from events on the ground. ¶4. (C) Carter asked if the MFA had views on considering others for sanctions in Gbagbo's inner circle, such as Simone Gbagbo, who might be working against the government's efforts to implement the peace process and hold open elections. Foucher said he was troubled that Simone Gbagbo was now pressing the Cote d'Ivoire parliament to meet later this month. More worrisome, Carter thought, was the continuing challenge of finding a successor for UN Special Elections Envoy Montiero. Barbier and Foucher commented they believed there was a strong Swiss candidate now in the wings, but could not recall his or her name. Guinea-Conakry: Aiming for Constitutional Transition -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Addressing Guinea-Conakry, Carter explained USG aims for a constitutional transition after the eventual demise of PARIS 00002260 002 OF 002 President Conte, noting that the 60-day transition period set forth in the Guinean constitution could legitimately be extended, if needed, without necessarily breaching the constitution. Keeping the military on the sidelines would however be imperative. DAS Linda Thomas-Greenfield had reinforced the message during a recent visit to Conakry, he said. Foucher asked whether the USG had reached out to the Guinean military. Carter noted the military was divided, partly along generational lines. Carter judged that any transition in Guinea would bring a measure of turbulence, but Guinea nonetheless was unlikely to fracture. Moreover, there were a number of feasible candidates to succeed Conte. Avian Influenza and Africa -------------- ¶6. (C) The AF/W Director noted rising anxiety about the economic and other consequences for Nigeria and other African states caused by the spread of avian influenza. He suggested there could be a need to collaborate on an Africa-specific international response. Foucher noted France had dispatched veterinarians to Nigeria and Institut Pasteur personnel had also undertaken investigations. (Note: Addressees should note that Department of Health and Human Services discussed with Institut Pasteur headquarters in Paris in early March opportunities for enhancing avian flu surveillance and research capacity for affiliates of Institut Pasteur already in Africa. End Note.) Foucher cautioned that some West African states had reservations about accepting outside assistance for fear that domestic political opposition could somehow levy charges of government incompetence or weakness. Bolstering ECOWAS -------------- ¶7. (C) Barbier, Foucher and Carter concurred on the need to reinforce and augment the ECOWAS secretariat. Foucher observed that ECOWAS had become too personalized, a kind of creature of Mohammed Ibn Chambas. Moreover, West African states failed to send solid diplomats to ECOWAS in Abuja, or least diplomats on a par with those dispatched to Paris and Washington. Comment: France Needs an Embassy in Monrovia -------------- --- ¶8. (C) Comment: The absence of a French diplomatic presence in Liberia contributes to a certain laziness at the MFA in noticing and evaluating developments except in relation to Cote d'Ivoire, when the French assessment, as in the case of French demands to keep the Nigerian UNMIL company deployed to UNOCI, is often to the detriment of Liberian security needs. Development Minister Girardin did attend the inauguration of President Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia, of course, and the French were pleased to host her March 7-10 visit to Paris (Ref. B). However, Liberia remains an orphan child at the MFA, with the account farmed out to an intern who assists the Ivory Coast desk officer. (To be fair, according to Embassy Monrovia, the French did, until his recent recall, have a highly competent non-MFA observer in Monrovia, with a strong scholarly background on Liberia and development. Ref. C) French plans to open a diplomatic mission in Monrovia at Charge level by the end of the year are positive and warrant encouragement. Better awareness about Liberia at MFA might help avert clashes in future about allocating resources between UNMIL and UNOCI. That said, Cote d'Ivoire remains the top MFA worry in Africa (with Chad the other contender). ¶9. (U) AF/W Director Carter cleared this message. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton