FRENCH MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 006742 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016 TAGS: ECON EFIN SENV EAID EAIR ETRD FR SUBJECT: FRENCH MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE, LEBANON, UNITAID Classified By: Economic Minister-Counselor Thomas White for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1.(SBU) Summary: MFA Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Jacques Lapouge listed global warming, Lebanon reconstruction and UNITAID as priority issues during a 10/11 tour d,horizon with EMIN. Efforts to curb financing of proliferation, G8 anti-piracy efforts and Russian capital in EADS also figured in the discussion. End summary. Environment -------------- 2.(SBU) At an October 11 luncheon MFA DG Jacques Lapouge pressed for further U.S. commitments on climate change. EMIN said the issue had high level USG attention and noted the substantial USG investments in renewable energy and other technologies critical to combating global warming. Lapouge accepted that U.S. steps were important, but insisted on the need to impose hard constraints on global CO2 emissions. France would continue to champion market-based mechanisms to get there. Lapouge said President Chirac would likely continue to campaign for an international conference on the environment (raised at UNGA),which could take place in February 2007. UNITAID -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Lapouge noted that the first UNITAID Board of Governors meeting had taken place in Geneva on October 9. Saying he understood the U.S. had reservations about France,s preferred financing mechanism (a tax on airline tickets),Lapouge asked nonetheless that the U.S. refrain from discouraging third parties from joining the initiative. In response to probing, Lapouge said air tax proceeds would be paid into UNITAID,s drug purchasing facility under the auspices of the WHO. The organization would work with a variety of partners, including the Global Fund, in purchasing -- and ensuring appropriate distribution of -- drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Lebanon -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Lapouge asked about U.S. plans for the Beirut I (&or Paris III8) donors conference, which he understood was tentatively planned for late November. Given Lebanon,s public debt of roughly 180% of GDP, support from the international community would be critical to the country,s recovery (though Lapouge acknowledged that much of the debt was held by Lebanese banks). The U.S. role would be particularly important in setting the stage for a successful outcome. ¶5. (C) On other topics Lapouge: -- said that more robust efforts to curb financing related to WMD proliferation would require formal legal authorities. France did not have the equivalent of a U.S. Executive Order, and so prohibitions or requirements for enhanced due diligence would have to be based on sanctions (or similar authority). -- understood the U.S. was joining with Japan in work on an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, raised by the Japanese within the G8. France shared U.S. anti-piracy concerns, but it would be important to include the EU and other partners at an early stage of such discussions; -- said with respect to Russian participation in EADS that the French would continue to insist that corporate governance structures remain unchanged; -- expressed interest in U.S. plans for development of new nuclear power plants. ¶6. (C) Comment: Lapouge,s top three issues ) climate change, UNITAID and Lebanon ) are clear priorities of the Elysee. We can expect French diplomacy to remain active on these issues in the months to come. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON