MFA DEMARCHE ON BADGES FOR FRENCH EMBASSY STAFF IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002723 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/06/2016 TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ FR SUBJECT: MFA DEMARCHE ON BADGES FOR FRENCH EMBASSY STAFF IN BAGHDAD REF: A. 05 PARIS 4039 ¶B. 05 BAGHDAD 2035 ¶C. 05 BAGHDAD 1669 ¶D. 05 PARIS 2793 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Bruce Turner, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. This message contains an action request for Washington in para 5. ¶2. (C) On April 25, MFA DAS-equivalent for Iraq/Iran/Arabian Gulf affairs Antoine Sivan called poloff to deliver an oral demarche on issue of DoD-issued badges for staff of the French embassy in Baghdad (reftels). Sivan expressed concern that the April 2005 GoF-USG understanding, authorizing blue badges (permitting expedited checkpoint processing) for all French embassy staff in Baghdad, is apparently not being implemented by the U.S. side. Sivan noted that there had been recent delays in renewing blue badges for French embassy staff, and that the French mission in Baghdad had raised the issue with U.S. embassy counterparts in Baghdad, who had not yet provided a response. French Ambassador Bajolet had speculated that perhaps the delays were due to a U.S. rotation in MNF-1, with the new U.S. authorities not aware of the existing agreement. Sivan stressed that without the badges, French embassy staff in Baghdad, already in a difficult security situation due to the French embassy's presence outside the Green Zone, faced potentially dangerous waits at checkpoints which put them at greater risk for terrorist attacks. He added, though, that no security incidents had taken place in connection with the alleged badge issuance delays. ¶3. (C) Sivan made a point of stressing the GoF's desire for continued cooperation with the U.S. on Iraq, and Ambassador Bajolet's appreciation for his consultations in Washington last January. Sivan added that all the GoF was seeking in this case was a continuation of the existing practice since last April -- issuance of blue badges to all French embassy staff, including gendarmes. Poloff took Sivan's message on board and offered to convey it to Washington, while stressing the need for the French embassy to continue to work this issue with U.S. counterparts in Baghdad. ¶4. (C) In a separate phone call to Acting Pol Couns, MFA Americas Deputy Director Yves Oudin called to say that the French Charge in Baghdad (Ambassador Bajolet is out of the country),Frank Jellet, recently had difficulties gaining access to the Green Zone with his current badge. Oudin also speculated that there may be a problem with new U.S. personnel who are unfamiliar with the fact that the French have been given badges for access. Like Sivan, Oudin sought Embassy help in resolving the issue, and stressed security concerns over checkpoint delays. ¶5. (C) Action request for Washington: Post would appreciate whatever background information Washington (or Baghdad) can provide on this issue for sharing with the GoF, and confirmation of whether there has been a change in procedures for badge issuance to French embassy staff in Baghdad. End action request. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton