FRENCH RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL TRACING SERVICE

UNCLAS PARIS 005078 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KNAR FR SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL TRACING SERVICE DEMARCHE REF: STATE 106075 ¶1. Poloff delivered reftel demarche on July 26 to Natalie Morro in the MFA Archives Office and Claude Chavance in MFA Legal Affairs. Both interlocutors confirmed that the GoF did not anticipate any major obstacles to the ratification of the amendments. They noted the ratification of the text by the French Parliament would add a great deal of weight to the Bonn Accord's legal stature in France, as it will be the first time the Accords will go before Parliament. Both Chavance and Morro were enthusiastic about the result and confident of quick passage. ¶2. The text will first be presented to the Council of State, which will then send it on to Parliament for ratification. Parliament convenes in October/November 2006, but it is possible (for bureaucratic reasons) that the text would not be ready for ratification until the 2007 spring session. The MFA promised to follow the case closely and advise post of any unforeseen problems. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON