C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000336

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2015
TAGS: KUNR PREL PHUM PARM KNNP IR FR UNSC UNGA EUN
SUBJECT: FRENCH MFA WELCOMES USG ENGAGEMENT ON UN REFORM,
WORRIES USG MAY BOYCOTT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

REF: A. STATE 4745 B. STATE 4746

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt. Reas
ons 1.4b,d


1. (SBU) Political Minister-Counselor discussed demarche
points on January 18 with French IO A/S-Equivalent Sylvie
Bermann (Ref A). Joining Bermann were desk officers
Donatienne Hissard and Nicolas Kassianides, who respectively
handle human rights issues and Security Council reform.
Bermann and Hissard underscored that they welcomed the
demarche points, which they hoped signaled renewed USG
engagement on reform of the UN Human Rights Commission,
essential if there is to be any headway by the late February
target date.


2. (C) Bermann and Hissard expressed serious concern at a
report emanating from the EC that the USG would boycott a
possible next session of the Human Rights Commission if there
has not been an "orderly transition" to a Human Rights
Council (HRC). USG absence, according to Bermann, would be a
disaster (and a gift horse to the PRC). Concerning the
eventual size of the Human Rights Council, Hissard said
France preferred an HRC of no fewer than 45 members.
Anything less would limit WEOG participation. Bermann and
Hissard also opined that agreeing on human rights criteria
for election was tricky. Many in the EU, for instance, might
want abolition of the death penalty to be a requirement for
HRC election.


3. (C) Bermann made a point of introducing Kassianides in
terms of his new IO responsibilities in readying a referral
of Iran to the Security Council. Kassianides had attended 16
January London meetings on Iran -- the first time that the
MFA IO department had taken part, Bermann said. Kassianides
volunteered that the EU-3 were working jointly on an IAEA
resolution that would be circulated in draft in Vienna in
advance of the 2/2 BOG. Bermann said SC referral should be
seen as the "normal" next step, with the EU-3 mediation
efforts a parenthetical chapter in the process. She
commented on the need for constant contact with SYG Annan in
coming weeks in order to keep him on message.


4. (C) On Security Council reform, Bermann reaffirmed French
commitment to the G-4 resolution. She emphasized French
solidarity with Germany in its aim for permanent membership,
a sine qua non for any Council reform, which was in itself
essential for re-energizing the United Nations. Bermann
commented that the G-4 resolution also offered the best
outcome overall for African interests, despite the
continent's internal divisions. Bermann and Kassianides
inquired about Japanese consultations with the USG on Council
reform, asking if the GOF could get an update.


5. (C) Regarding the selection of Annan's successor, Bermann
volunteered that France was only beginning to look at the
various Asian candidates. She advised deferring discussion
into the next General Assembly for fear that Annan would
otherwise become an ineffectual lame duck. She was gratified
that the USG had backed off from its alleged aim to settle on
Annan's successor by June. Bermann said she looked forward
to consultations with A/S Silverberg in the near future,
suggesting the possibility of a February visit to New York
and Washington.


6. (C) Guidance Request: Post requests guidance in response
to A/S-equivalent Bermann's concern about a possible boycott
of the UN Human Rights Commission if it has not been replaced
this summer by a new Human Rights Council.

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

Stapleton