FRANCE: 61ST UNGA: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND

UNCLAS PARIS 005609 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/UNP (HARRIS),EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE) NSC FOR WILLIAMS-MANIGAULT USUN FOR OLSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA FR SUBJECT: FRANCE: 61ST UNGA: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS REF: A. STATE 112656 ¶B. PARIS 5157 This supplements our interim report (ref B) on GOF UNGA attendance. ¶A. Attendance of the Head of State: -- Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic. -- Arrival and departure dates are uncertain, but MFA on August 21 reports he will probably leave after the second day of the UNGA. He plans to give France's address. -- Presence of spouse (Bernadette): Undetermined, but likely. -- President Chirac's English is good, but he usually prefers the presence of an interpreter in formal meetings. ¶B. Attendance of the Head of Government: MFA reports no present plan for PM Dominique de Villepin to attend. ¶C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister: -- Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs. -- MFA reports that FM Douste-Blazy will attend the UNGA and will head France's delegation once President Chirac leaves. -- Arrival and departure dates are uncertain, according to the MFA. -- Presence of spouse: Undetermined (but unlikely, in our view, based on recent practice). -- FM Douste-Blazy speaks some English but requires an interpreter at formal meetings. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm HOFMANN