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

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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
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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
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5. (C) Addressing Guinea-Conakry, Carter explained USG aims
for a constitutional transition after the eventual demise of

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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