Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS3978
2006-06-13 13:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
CONSTRUCTIVE FRENCH MFA LINE ON MID-YEAR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #3978 1641306 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131306Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8399 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0474 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0770
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003978
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/12/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ FR
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTIVE FRENCH MFA LINE ON MID-YEAR
MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ REVIEW
REF: STATE 94552
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003978
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/12/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ FR
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTIVE FRENCH MFA LINE ON MID-YEAR
MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ REVIEW
REF: STATE 94552
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points on the June 15 UNSC
review of the Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-1) mandate and
current DFI/IAMB arrangements with MFA Iraq desk officer
Jean-Marie Safa and MFA UN Action Officer for Iraq Nicolas
Kassianides June 12. Both Safa and Kassianides expected that
the June 15 UNSC consultations would be non-contentious, and
they affirmed that France would offer continued support for
UNSCR 1637. Kassianides noted particular GoF interest in the
briefing the U.S. would give on behalf of MNF-1, and
expressed hope that it would address in detail the situation
on the ground and future prospects.
2. (C) Safa added that the GoF remained convinced that a
"political horizon" for an eventual MNF-1 withdrawal would
provide a significant boost to PM Maliki's efforts at
national reconciliation; at the same time, Safa made clear
that the GoF was not seeking a specific or imminent
withdrawal date. In response, poloff cautioned against
artificial timetables and reiterated the continued need for a
conditions-based approach to MNF-1 troop levels, in close
consultation with commanders on the ground and Iraqi
authorities. Poloff also stressed that the U.S. had affirmed
on multiple occasions that U.S. troops would stay in Iraq
"not one day longer than necessary" and that we remained
there at the behest of the sovereign, democratically elected
Iraqi government. Poloff also stressed the need for concrete
support to the new Iraqi government, in the form of increased
assistance, debt relief, and capacity building.
3. (C) In closing, Kassianides expressed interest in
additional information on the "Iraq compact" initiative,
noting that FCO Iraq Policy Unit Chief Dominic Asquith had
briefed MFA officials on UK views during a visit to Paris the
previous week.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/12/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC IZ FR
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTIVE FRENCH MFA LINE ON MID-YEAR
MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ REVIEW
REF: STATE 94552
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points on the June 15 UNSC
review of the Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-1) mandate and
current DFI/IAMB arrangements with MFA Iraq desk officer
Jean-Marie Safa and MFA UN Action Officer for Iraq Nicolas
Kassianides June 12. Both Safa and Kassianides expected that
the June 15 UNSC consultations would be non-contentious, and
they affirmed that France would offer continued support for
UNSCR 1637. Kassianides noted particular GoF interest in the
briefing the U.S. would give on behalf of MNF-1, and
expressed hope that it would address in detail the situation
on the ground and future prospects.
2. (C) Safa added that the GoF remained convinced that a
"political horizon" for an eventual MNF-1 withdrawal would
provide a significant boost to PM Maliki's efforts at
national reconciliation; at the same time, Safa made clear
that the GoF was not seeking a specific or imminent
withdrawal date. In response, poloff cautioned against
artificial timetables and reiterated the continued need for a
conditions-based approach to MNF-1 troop levels, in close
consultation with commanders on the ground and Iraqi
authorities. Poloff also stressed that the U.S. had affirmed
on multiple occasions that U.S. troops would stay in Iraq
"not one day longer than necessary" and that we remained
there at the behest of the sovereign, democratically elected
Iraqi government. Poloff also stressed the need for concrete
support to the new Iraqi government, in the form of increased
assistance, debt relief, and capacity building.
3. (C) In closing, Kassianides expressed interest in
additional information on the "Iraq compact" initiative,
noting that FCO Iraq Policy Unit Chief Dominic Asquith had
briefed MFA officials on UK views during a visit to Paris the
previous week.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON