Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS6338
2006-09-21 11:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRANCE URGES COLLABORATION TO INSURE WIDESPREAD

Tags:  PREL PHUM UNSC BM 
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VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #6338 2641145
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211145Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1554
INFO RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0062
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 006338 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: FRANCE URGES COLLABORATION TO INSURE WIDESPREAD
BUY-IN FOR UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA

REF: STATE 155034

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 006338

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: FRANCE URGES COLLABORATION TO INSURE WIDESPREAD
BUY-IN FOR UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA

REF: STATE 155034

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt,
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C). This is an action request. See paragraph 6.


2. (C) Summary: The MFA's IO bureau, while reiterating
France's support for a UN Security Council resolution on
Burma, cautioned against moving too quickly absent sufficient
support and given the possibility of a Chinese veto. IO
Office Director Benoit Guidee encouraged the U.S. to
circulate a draft proposal among "like-minded countries" and
to consult with those who opposed placing Burma on the
agenda. In France's view, a resolution should include a call
for the release of political prisoners in Burma and the
nomination of a UN special envoy to Burma. Guidee believes
that the Burmese regime is so friendless that even the most
reluctant Security Council members might be persuaded to
acquiesce. End Summary


3. (C) On September 19, we shared reftel points with Benoit
Guidee, office director for political affairs in the MFA's
Bureau of the UN and International Organizations, thanking
France for its affirmative vote to place Burma on the
Security Council agenda last Friday. Guidee offered the
GOF's ongoing support for a resolution but was eager to
discuss tactics. "How do we win over fence-sitters, such as
Congo-Brazzaville and Argentina, avert a Chinese veto, and
still devise a meaningful resolution?"


4. (C) The UK, France and the US must address the
sensitivities of ambivalent Security Council members, Guidee
suggested. For example, Congo-Brazzaville is squeamish about
any resolution that implies international interference in
internal affairs, and Argentina is reluctant to support a
resolution that deals too explicitly with human rights
abuses. China might be persuaded to abstain if the text
stayed within certain limits and did not tackle the question
of Burma's ethnic minorities, he added. He offered an
optimistic appraisal of China's views on Burma, explaining
that France perceives that China has become exasperated with
its neighbor and concerned about the spill-over effects for
China of Burma's refugee and human rights policies.


5. (C) On substance, Guidee said France will insist on two
fundamental points in any UNSC resolution. The first is a
call for the release of political prisoners and, more
broadly, efforts to develop democratic institutions. Second,
France wants the Security Council to urge the Secretary
General to appoint a new special envoy to Burma, to replace
Razali Ismail of Malaysia, who resigned in January. While
Guidee said France had no particular objection to U/SYG
Ibrahim Gambari's good offices efforts in Burma, France
believes a dedicated special envoy could devote more time to
negotiations and would send a message of seriousness to the
ruling State Peace and Development Council. France does not
favor a particular candidate, but believes a southeast Asian
diplomat would be most appropriate. He added that Burma's
neighbors increasingly view Burma as a regional burden, and
France believes Malaysia or the Philippines could step up to
offer a credible candidate.


6. (C) Action Request: The MFA asks whether the U.S. plans to
consult with other like-minded countries and the Chinese, and
when the U.S. will put forward a resolution.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
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