EMBASSY PARIS SUBMISSION TO THE 2005/2006 REPORT TO CONGRESS ON ALLIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON DEFENSE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 49 PARIS 000715

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/SNA, EUR/WE; OSD FOR OSD/PA&E, OASD/ISA/EUR,
OASD/ISA/NP, OASD/ISA/AP, OASD/ISA/NESA AND OASD/ISA/BTF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MCAP, MARR, MCAP, MARR, MCAP, FR, FR PREL, FR PREL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY PARIS SUBMISSION TO THE 2005/2006 REPORT
TO CONGRESS ON ALLIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON DEFENSE

REF: A. STATE 223383

B. PARIS 000005


This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for
Internet dissemination.

1. (U) Summary: This telegram constitutes Embassy Paris's
country submission for the 2005/2006 Report to Congress on
Allied Contributions to the Common Defense (requested Ref
A). We report on developments that took place during
calendar years 2004 and 2005 and offer cost sharing
information for U.S. fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Embassy's
contributions to the Report to Congress are keyed to
paragraphs in Ref A where specific information is
requested. End Summary.

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Ref A Para 8: General Assessment
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Overview
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2. (U) France bears a significant share of the burden of
defending international security and stability. It is
firmly committed to conflict resolution, non- and
counterproliferation, as well as to maintaining adequate
conventional and nuclear capabilities. Only a few nations
have the military capability to project power to a distant
theater and sustain operations. France is one of these
nations. It has the military personnel, equipment, and
command capabilities as well as the will to employ them
throughout the world. It is this total operational
capability, and the resolve to act on the international
stage, which allows the French military to participate and
lead in an international framework, including through the
European Union and NATO. Africa comprises the heaviest
French military commitment abroad. However, France is also
a significant contributor to international military
operations in Central--Southwest Asia and the Balkans. By
helping to stabilize sensitive areas in Central Asia, the
Balkans, or in Sub-Saharan Africa, overseas operations led
by the French Armed Forces have helped to prevent those
areas from becoming safe-havens for terrorist activity.
Throughout 2004 and 2005, France has been a major
contributor in the fight against terrorism as part of the
international coalition in Afghanistan. As such, France
volunteered to participate under the command of the United
States in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Moreover,
security, stabilization and training operations led by the
French Armed Forces within the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) is helping Afghanistan in its
transition from a terrorist sanctuary to a growing
democracy.

3. (U) France maintains the largest active duty military
force in the European Union and the second largest active
duty military force in NATO, with an active force of
approximately 355,000. Furthermore, France sustains a
large percentage of this active duty force deployed in
operations in overseas French territories or in sovereign
territories around the world. The average number of
deployed forces outside of France was 35,000 in 2004, and
32,500 in 2005. Over 13,500 of those deployed are actively
engaged in international mandates supporting counter-
terrorist operations, humanitarian operations, peacekeeping
operations, stability operations, and capacity building.
To support this level of external international mandate
operations, France spends approximately USD 790 million per
year from a defense budget of 52 billion dollars.


France's Global Reach: Peace Support Operations Worldwide
-------------- --------------

4. (U) France eagerly participates in international peace
support operations and is a leading force contributor to
stabilization operations in the Balkans and in Africa. In
Cote d'Ivoire, France's most significant overseas
operation, French troops enforce a tenuous cease-fire and
are providing the backbone to the United Nations operation
as a quick reaction force. French troops have been
actively engaged since the summer of 2004 in preventing the
Darfur crisis from expanding into Chad. In the Balkans,
French troops are present in every military mission across
Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia: SFOR/EUFOR, KFOR, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, EUMM, and ALTHEA. During "Operation Secure
Tomorrow," to stabilize Haiti, France deployed the second
largest contingent alongside the United States.
Contributing troops under international mandate is a point
of principle in Paris. The UN, where France has a veto as
a permanent member of the Security Council, is its
preferred forum for crisis resolution. France has
observers currently participating in UN missions in the
Balkans, Georgia, Lebanon, Israel, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
Burundi, DROC, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Western Sahara, and
Haiti. It also participates in the multinational force in
the Sinai.


France and the War in Iraq
--------------

5. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.


France and the War on Terrorism
--------------

6. (U) France is currently the third-largest contributor
to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan, and one of the few nations other
than the U.S. to have had troops engaged in Operation
Enduring Freedom, ISAF and training programs for the Afghan
army since these efforts began. French Mirage-2000
fighters have flown with USAF fighters to assist American
and Afghan ground troops. French deployments to the Horn
of Africa remain focused on counterterrorism; the French
assisted in the establishment of USCJTF Horn of Africa, and
otherwise continue to allow the U.S. to share their base in
Djibouti in connection with operations in the Indian Ocean,
Red Sea and Persian Gulf. France is a part of Task Force
150, a multinational naval force that patrols the Red Sea
and the Persian Gulf to interdict the movement of suspected
terrorists from Afghanistan to the Arabian Peninsula.

7. (U) France participates in Operation Active Endeavor in
the Eastern Mediterranean. France is also actively
involved with the Proliferation Security Initiative. It is
also a party to all 12 existing international terrorism
conventions and is active in the UN and G8 counterterrorism
committees.

8. (U) In 2005, France continued to discover and dismantle
terror networks present on its soil, including several that
recruited jihadists to Iraq. Following the July 2005
bombings in London, French officials worked closely with
their British counterparts. They also identified a number
of deficiencies in their counterterrorism capabilities, and
proposed legislation to remedy these deficiencies. This
fast-tracked legislation became law in late January, 2006.
The French government is also expected to issue in February
2006 a "white book" on terrorism that will underscore their
belief that terrorism is a primary strategic threat to
France, and that dealing with it is consequentially a
central priority. France consults extensively with the
U.S. on terrorism, at the tactical and strategic level.

Africa
--------------

9. (U) The French military has shown an increasing
interest to cooperate with others, particularly with the
U.S., in Africa. In the past three years, there have been
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) executed in three
African countries, NEO planning for four other potential
crises, as well as U.S. and French multilateral programs,
such as GPOI - ACOTA, RECAMP, and joint financial and
logistical support for ECOWAS, ECCAS, and the African
Union. In the Gulf of Guinea and Trans-Sahel region,
France has expressed interest in the U.S. effort to improve
the posture of African countries in the fight against
terrorism. Both the U.S. and France continue to broadly
support capacity building for African militaries. (See
paragraphs 12, 32 40, 42-43, 46, 59, 72, 82-86, 89 and 94
for more on French involvement in Africa.)


France, NATO and ESDP
--------------

10. (SBU) Despite its singular stance on alliance
membership (France is not a member of NATO's integrated
military command),France has continued to demonstrate
willingness to engage in NATO responses to common
challenges. France has been a major contributor to
operations in the Balkans (SFOR, now EUFOR, and KFOR) and
in NATO's operations in Afghanistan (International Security
Assistance Force). In KFOR in Kosovo, French troops are the
second-largest national contingent, significantly
outnumbering U.S. units. In Afghanistan, France has some
900 troops, which will increase to approximately 1400 in
August 2006, when France assumes command of the Kabul
region of ISAF. During December 2004-August 2005, France
held the rotating command of ISAF. France also contributed
to NATO Humanitarian Relief Operations in Bagh, Pakistan.

11. (SBU) The French have consistently expressed their
support for NATO's transformation, and are contributing
substantial resources to the NATO Response Force: the
French military has identified forces that at initial
stages will amount to 40 per cent of ground units, 30 per
cent of air assets, and 20 per cent of naval capabilities,
and has proposed contributing EUROCORPS to the NRF at a
later stage. France has restructured some of its own
forces with land, air and sea High Readiness Response force
fully compatible with the NATO Response Force. It has
offered headquarter slots in Lille for fellow NATO members.

12. (SBU) Interest in being part of NATO transformation
has not diminished the deep commitment of the GoF to
fostering European security and defense arrangements. Many
in the GoF envision that transatlantic security relations
of the future will increasingly include bilateral U.S.-EU
cooperation. Throughout 2004 and 2005, the French
vigorously pursued their goal of establishing independent
European defense structures and supporting increased EU
missions. France supported an EU assistance mission to
Darfur in the Sudan, to support the African Union's
intervention. France continues to push its EU partners for
completion of a separate EU planning headquarters, a small
but independent EU operational planning unit, as well as an
EU cell at SHAPE. EU operations may also continue to be
planned at national headquarters. Additionally, France has
been a key player in setting up and funding the European
Defense procurement agency (EDA),designed to coordinate
defense procurement among EU allies, and which became
operational in 2005 with a small staff numbering some 80
persons and a budget of 20 million euros.

13. (U) In January 2006, the European gendarmerie force
was formally inaugurated in Vicenza, Italy. The concept
dates back to October 2003, when French Defense Minister
Michele Alliot-Marie proposed the creation of the European
gendarmerie consisting of some 800 gendarmes from Spain,
Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands to take on police
training and other police functions as part of the EU's
response to crises.


French Training and Participation in Joint Exercises
-------------- --------------

14. (U) In the European AOR, in cooperation with the US
Commander Naval Forces Europe, the French Navy participated
in 3 Non-NATO exercises and 6 NATO exercises in 2004
including a Proliferation Security Initiative exercise, a
NATO anti-submarine exercise, a Multi-lateral Livex, PFP
exercise BALTOPS 04, and a NATO Joint fleet training
exercise (a major NRF event sponsored by NATO).
15. (U) In 2005, France participated in 6 Non-NATO
exercises and 13 NATO exercises. The French Navy
participated in RECAMP IV, JMC 05-1 and 05-2, a
multilateral FTX helping qualify the Italian maritime High
Readiness Force (HRF),two multilateral anti-submarine
exercises, Trident D'Or (the exercise to qualify the French
maritime HRF, a LIVEX Mine Warfare Exercise in the North
Sea, FRUKUS (CPX/FTX with French, Russian, U.S., and U.K.
navy participation, Sorbet Royale (a LIVEX Submarine Rescue
Exercise),Bright Star (a multi-national, multi-warfare
LIVEX executing in Egypt),Loyal Midas (a multilateral FTX
to qualify a stand-by Maritime Component Commander for a
future NRF rotation.

16. (U) Overall objectives for Navy training in 2005 were:
100 days at sea per ship, 13 exercises, four of which were
Amphibious exercises, three of which were mine warfare
exercises, two deployments of the Charles de Gaulle CVBG,
participation in one major NATO exercise, participation in
one major EU exercise and five Joint exercises.

17. (U) The French air force continues to seek
opportunities to exercise and train with the US. During
2005, the French air force participated in Exercise Bright
Star in Egypt, and Exercise Air Warrior in the US. France
also continues to offer the US opportunities to use their
training ranges and training airspace associated with
Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.


French Support for Space Launch Activities
--------------

18. (U) France supported multiple space launch activities
from their facilities in the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and
the south of France. The French government approved a US
request to use the islands of Reunion and Nuka Hiva for
telemetry tracking missions supporting NASA space launches.
Additionally, the French support US space shuttle launches
with access to the French Air Base in Istres France as an
alternate shuttle landing site.


Defense Trade and Industrial Cooperation
--------------

19. (U) Source priorities in order of importance for
French defense acquisition remain France, EU, and all
others (to include the U.S.). National pride and limited
budgets govern this order. The French defense industry
continues to provide the greatest depth and breadth of any
western European country. While its technology is
sometimes peer-level with the U.S., it is actually superior
in specific niche areas (e.g., thermal imaging and optics).
The single most limiting factor is defense spending.

20. (U) In the past year, the French Ministry of Defense
continued its pursuit of revitalization of forces. Despite
competing government interests, the budget of the Defense
Ministry remained untouched (the Interior was the only
other ministry spared from budget cuts). Highlights for
2005-2006 spending include: a second aircraft carrier;
introduction of the Rafale fighter aircraft; the European
Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM); Network-Centric command and
control systems; Tigre and NH-90 helicopters; transport
aircraft; third and fourth strategic missile submarines;
and cruise missile development. Only minor increases in
research and development, as compared to previous years,
were approved.
21. (U) Foreign Military Sales from the US increased from
FY03 to FY04 (USD 45.6M to USD 66.9M),while direct
commercial sales decreased (USD 18.9M to USD 12.7M.)
Pending US sales include the Aircraft Launch and Recovery
Equipment (ALRE) for the second French aircraft carrier,
and a cruise missile simulator. FMS training funds were
expended as in previous years, with the majority centered
on carrier aviation training and support.

22. (U) Service-specific Data Exchange Agreements (DEAs)
remained essentially stable, yet significantly,
renegotiation of four Navy DEAs was concluded, extending
their expiration dates to 2010. Discussions continue
regarding remaining DEAs and four newly proposed
agreements. Foreign Comparative Testing programs continue
to show interest in French technologies, with recent focus
on underwater GPS, perimeter defense, shipboard self-
defense, and bomb casing design. Benchmarking studies have
been conducted on ship design and manpower reduction.

23. (U) U.S. defense acquisition and sales interests in
France are significant and include (by service): for the
Air Force, C-130J, KC-130J, C-17 sales and French AWACS
upgrade; for the Army and USMC, Sophie, 120mm rifled
mortars, Active Protection System armor for ground
vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles; for the Navy, ALRE
sale, unmanned submerged/underwater vehicles, and maritime
domain awareness, and network-centric enabled operations.
All services are focused on any technology that can assist
in the efforts of the IED Task Force.

24. (U) Privatization of the defense sector has continued,
albeit at a slow pace. Although the GoF still maintains
so-called "golden shares" in several firms, globalization
has eroded their total control in this arena. For example,
the recently privatized shipbuilding firm DCN has again
partnered with Thales in planning the second French
aircraft carrier, and was recently awarded a contract by
the French Navy for total lifetime maintenance support for
their fleet warships and major combat systems.

25. (U) The anticipated absorption of OCCAR (the
Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation) into the
European Defense Agency has stalled, although OCCAR did
play a role in guiding the French and Italian defense
ministries to select the General Electric engines for the
European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) in late 2005.

26. (U) The EU's European Capabilities Action Plan (ECAP)
goal is to coordinate financing processes and to get
European defense industry involved in identifying and
filling gaps. There is also a recent effort to engage
university research labs through funding made available
from private industries. Further privatization and
increased competitiveness of the French defense sector
should support these trends.

27. (U) Tangential but significant issues to defense
cooperation include continued pursuit of a Declaration of
Principles (DoP) on armaments and end-use controls required
by the U.S. on jointly produced systems, which prevent
French sales to third parties without USG approval (viewed
with concern by French government and private industry
alike though France requires similar guarantees from their
customers for French products). On the other hand, U.S.
Presidential intervention in rejecting the so-called "buy
American" provisions in the recent U.S. defense bill was
well received.

28. (U) Recent overtures on the part of both the U.S. and
French governments have led to an increase in official
bilateral defense discussions and activity. The impending
change of government in 2007 will have a significant impact
on whether or not this trend continues. While France's
2005 vote against the EU referendum was seen as a setback
to both the French government and to the EU's future, its
full effect remains to be seen. As noted above, there are
signs of consolidation of efforts among EU institutions,
specifically in the defense arena. Economic realities and
collective resolve should eventually determine whether
these trends continue.
The Future of French Defense Spending
--------------
29. (U) Future French Defense budgets must conform to a
new inter-governmental finance law known by the acronym
LOLF (Organic Law of the Finance Law). In this new
framework, the funding made available to the Ministry of
Defense abandons the traditional budget distributions by
'Titles' and instead is presented as 'missions and
programs'. The most significant of these is the mission to
'Put into action the National Defense Policy'. Two of its
supporting programs are 'Prepare the Force' and 'Equip the
Force'. In all, the Defense Ministry budget will be
organized around four missions and nine supporting
programs. In an effort to improve the coherence of the
defense budget, the LOLF ties budgetary allocations to
performance. Also, for the first budget cycle under this
new system, the Chiefs of Staff of the services have less
influence on service budgets. Their role is now to assure
the coherence of the budget rather than the direction of
it. In a May 21, 2005 Presidential decree, the Chiefs of
the Armed Services are now subordinate to the Chief of
Defense (CHOD). The CHOD now controls all budgets and
procurement financing. Service budgets now must pass
through the CHOD before they go to the Minister's office
for approval. (For more information on defense spending and
the LOLF see paragraphs 111-113.)

30. (U) The 2006 defense budget represents a 2.2% increase
over the 2005 fiscal year. In spite of the Defense
Minister's ability to protect the defense budget from cuts,
there continue to be difficulties for the French military
in the future. These difficulties stem primarily from
three areas: first, the inflationary pressures of the
price of energy; second, cost overruns/delays in
procurement; and third, increased maintenance costs. Most
of the planning for the current five-year budget requests
was predicated on the cost of a barrel of oil at half the
current price. This increase will translate into fewer
flying hours, fewer training days, and fewer days at sea in
the next few years. Procurement of several current
military systems is behind the original schedule or
experiencing technical problems. These delays include the
Tigre helicopter, Rafale fighter aircraft, A-400M transport
aircraft, and the new command ship (BPC). The final
expense increase will be the result of maintaining the
older systems in the French military until sufficient
numbers can replace them.


Transforming Military Capabilities
--------------

31. (U) In spite of not being part of the integrated
military command structure of NATO, in January, 2004 France
received two general officer billets within the command:
one at Atlantic Command Operations (SHAPE) and one at
Atlantic Command Transformation (Norfolk). The French have
assigned 110 military personnel to the two headquarters,
representing 2.04% of overall NATO staff posts. The French
have also agreed to increase their contribution to Alliance
military budgets from 4.9% to 7.4%. Nonetheless, despite
disclaimers to the contrary, the French have given mixed
signals over the past two years on their vision of the
future NATO. These views have ranged from a desire for
closer integration with NATO to generally limiting the
scope of NATO's operations or in favor of an EU defense
force.

32. (U) France has been a leading proponent to advance a
"battle-group" concept to create rotational 1500-man size
forces for use in Chapter VII mandates by the European
Union. Based on the EU Operation ARTEMIS model (the French
led deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in
2003) the force would be capable of responding to a crisis
within 15 days and be sustainable for 30 days minimum, 120
days maximum. Full operational capability is scheduled for
2007. The French insist that these battle groups would be
compatible with NATO NRF rotations, with either taking the
lead on the basis of a mutually-agreed decision. Africa
has been mentioned as a primary venue for the battle-
groups.
33. (U) The French Army is investing in UAVs, the Improved
Infantry Armored Vehicle (VBCI),advanced communications
equipment, counter-fire radars, and lighter equipment for
armored units. They are beginning the process of
digitization of the Army's battlefield systems and
purchasing an individual soldier system - the Felin, the
French Army's equivalent to the U.S. Army's Land Warrior
system. These initiatives will enhance French abilities to
interoperate with US forces and systems.

34. (U) The French Navy has stood up and qualified the HRF
(M) headquarters staff, the naval component headquarters of
France's NRF, in Toulon in 2004 and 2005. This force will
deploy to the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean in 2006.
Additionally, the Admiral, Naval Action Force (ALFAN) in
Toulon has continued to develop over 2004 and 2005. This
command is now roughly equivalent to the U.S. Fleet Forces
Command and has responsibilities for training, certifying,
and equipping French naval forces. In an effort to improve
intelligence support to the French Navy, the French stood
up a French intelligence command called Centre de
Renseignment Martime (CRMar).

35. (U) In the context of trying to become more efficient
and capable of joint and international operations, the
French Air Force is in the process of a major
reorganization. In November 2003, a project team of senior
staff officers, outgoing base commanders and civilian
consultants was created and given the mission to develop a
plan to create a better Air Force. The project team started
its work in September 2004 and unveiled the plan in October
2005. The ideas will be progressively implemented
beginning in 2006. This ambitious reorganization project,
named Air 2010, aims in particular at removing duplication
and creating synergy. It will serve to optimize the air
base network while preserving existing capabilities. In
summary, the Air Force will replace the twelve current
commands with four large functional 'poles.' The
Operations Pole will be in charge of current operations in
France and abroad. The Forces pole will be charged with
leading the preparation and training of the whole of the
combat forces. The Support Pole will bring together within
the same staff all the maintenance, logistics, and life
support. The Personnel Pole will join together all the
personnel training and staff management functions.

36. (U) The French military is actively exploring ways to
increase interoperability with the U.S. with respect to the
global information grid and uses of information on the
modern battlefield. As of late 2005, the French MOD has
directed increased contact between French military
officials and U.S. military officials in an effort to
ensure the French capability to interoperate with the U.S.
is maintained and improved. This French initiative is
aimed at keeping up with the U.S. lead in information
technology, particularly targeting data and friendly force
tracking. The French desperately want to preserve the
ability to conduct combat operations with the U.S. in every
domain air, land, and sea.



Recent Contingency Operations, Military Assistance,
Humanitarian Relief Operations, Peacekeeping, Capacity
Building, Counterproliferation and Nuclear Threat
Reduction.
-------------- --------------

37. (U) The French continue to show their support for
operations in Afghanistan. In 2006, they are planning to
augment their forces to support the increased
responsibilities of the Kabul regional command in addition
to the military assets already in place in support of ISAF
and OEF (see paragraphs 53-56 for more detail).
Furthermore, the French continue to be actively involved in
the fight against terrorism through the OEF Task Force 150
and in the US Counter-Drug effort (see paragraphs 59-60 for
more detail.)

38. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception and the French have consistently expressed a
desire to be part of NATO's transformation and
interoperability initiatives as evidenced by their
significant national contributions to the NATO Response
Force (NRF) (see paragraphs 66-67 for more detail).

39. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo and French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. The French
continue to maintain a small French military presence in
Macedonia. They also provide a small presence force in
Georgia. (See paragraphs 70-71 for more detail).

40. (U) In Africa, France has provided 80 million euros to
Darfur through the African Union and provides support to
Chad on a bilateral basis. The French transported the
Senegalese units of the AU force to Sudan and the Nigerian
police contingent. (See paragraph 72 for more detail).

41. (U) In response to natural disasters in 2004 and 2005
France contributed substantially to Pakistan Earthquake
relief efforts, the South Asian Tsunami relief efforts, and
relief efforts after hurricane Katrina hit the southern
United States. (See paragraphs 73-81 for more detail).

42. (U) The major part of France's efforts at capacity
building in the world is focused on Africa where France
relies on its forces stationed in seven nations to conduct
most of its capacity building operations (see paragraphs
82-85 for more detail). Also, 4000 French troops stand
alongside UNOCI in Operation Licorne in Cote d'Ivoire in
support of the UN operation, in addition to the French
permanent base in Abidjan.

43. (U) French Gendarmerie has taken the lead in the
development of the European Gendarmerie Force. French
Gendarmes are also deployed in Lebanon (UNIFIL),Haiti
(MINUSTAH),Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI),the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Chad, and the Central Africa Republic. They
also conducted training in Kinshasa, Kenya (see paragraphs
86-89 for more detail).

44. (U) In the summer of 2004, the French also began a
joint fighter pilot training school in Cazeaux, France (see
paragraph 90 for more detail).

45. (U) As a nuclear state, France endorses deterrence
theory and holds to long-standing NATO doctrines. It has
consistently supported international arms control regimes
as a means of bolstering stability and transparency. In
addition to its continued support for international
mechanisms to limit proliferation, France with their
British and German colleagues pursued EU3 negotiations to
obtain Iranian compliance with Iran's Safeguard Agreement
commitments. EU3 efforts led to the signing of the Paris
Agreement in November 2004. Iranian resumption of
conversion in August 2005, and research on enrichment in
December 2005, led to suspension of Paris Agreement
discussions. France and its EU partners, with U.S.
support, continue to pursue efforts to convince Iran to
suspend its nuclear ambitions. (See paragraphs 91-93 for
more detail).

46. (U) The French military continues to maintain strong
contacts with the U.S. and other NATO countries for
contingency planning. During 2004 and 2005, France
conducted planning and exchanges with EUCOM and CENTCOM.
French and U.S. analysts and planners share information on
terrorism and WMD proliferation as well as political-
military developments. From the beginning of operations in
Afghanistan (both OEF and ISAF),and the Lebanon crisis,
French and U.S. planners have continued to work together to
produce effective, timely results. French forces
permanently or temporarily stationed in Africa and Central
Asia have assisted U.S. operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM
theater of operations.


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--------------
REF A PARAS 9-10: DIRECT COST-SHARING
--------------
--------------
47. (U) No direct cost sharing activities occur in France


--------------
--------------
REF A PARA 11: INDIRECT COST SHARING
--------------
--------------

48. (U) No indirect cost-sharing activities as described
in Ref A paragraph 11 occur in France. However the U.S.
did receive several types of miscellaneous indirect cost-
sharing benefits from France as described below.


Overflight Clearances, Port Access, Use of French
Facilities
-------------- --------------

49. (U) In 2004, France granted overflight and landing
clearances to 1842 USG missions. 977 of these missions
were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 76 of these
missions supported operations in the Balkans. During 2005,
France granted 2061 overflight and landing clearances to
USG missions. 811 of these missions supported OIF while 68
supported Balkan operations. France continued to grant
blanket overflight clearances to most USG missions allowing
over flights of and landings in France without notice.

50. (U) The 744 Expeditionary Air Base Group operated
three KC-135 tanker aircraft from Istres Airbase in
southern France during most of 2004. This group of 100 US
military personnel flew air refueling missions supporting
operations in the Balkans. The French provided fuel tax-
free. The mission ended in December 2004.

51. (U) Tax concessions on fuel and landing fees for non-
operational missions during 2004 totaled approximately 4000
dollars. During 2005 these concessions totaled 8450
dollars.

52. (U) During 2004 the US Navy made 14 port calls to
facilities in metropolitan France. In 2005 the number of
port calls was 29. In all cases, the French Navy provided
excellent support and force protection services without
cost. Additionally, no taxes were imposed for supplies or
parts for US ships visiting French ports.


-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
REF A PARA 12 RECENT CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS, MILITARY
ASSISTANCE, HUMANITARIAN RELIEF OPERATIONS, CAPACITY
BUILDING, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND NUCLEAR THREAT
REDUCTION
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------

-------------- --------------
Subparagraph A: Recent Contingency operations (See French
Force Disposition and External Operations Table for
personnel numbers)
-------------- --------------

53. (U) The French were among the first nations to
volunteer troops to the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and France continues to
be responsible for Kabul International Airport and the area
north of Kabul to the U.S. base at Bagram. A French
battalion has been a part of ISAF since December 2001.
From August 2004 to February 2005, a French general
commanded the NATO-led ISAF. France has proposed an
increased role in ISAF and offered to lead Regional
CommandKabul as part of the NATO reorganization and
expansion of ISAF. In October 2005, France and Turkey
announced that they would co-lead Regional Command-Kabul.
The French are planning to augment their forces from the
current 700 in ISAF to between 1,000 1,200 personnel to
support the increased responsibilities of the regional
command to include providing a Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
battalion. The French have continued to provide a military
police detachment in support of ISAF.

54. (U) Supporting OEF, the French Armed Forces continue
to be actively involved in the fight against terrorism.
200 members of the French Special Forces are currently
deployed in the South of Afghanistan alongside U.S. Special
Forces in military operations against the Taliban.

55. (U) France assigned liaison officers to the U.S. staff
headquarters in Tampa to ensure the interface between the
military authorities of the two countries. French forces
were directly involved in the fight against terrorism by
y
carrying out the following missions:

56. (U) The air and sea group took part in air operations
above Afghanistan in April-May 2004 (84 aircrafts were
involved in operational missions for 450 flight hours).
The French Air Force deployed within less than 48 hours six
Mirage 2000D and two refueling aircraft from metropolitan
France to the deployable airbase in Manas (Kyrgyzstan)
which played a key role in the prosecution of air
campaigns.

57. (U) In addition, two C160 airplanes with 130 soldiers
of the Air Force have been operating in Dushanbe
(Tajikistan) since December 3, 2001, totaling 10,000 flight
hours. This detachment is focused on airlifting the French
Forces operating in different areas in Afghanistan.

58. (U) In October 2004, three Mirage F1CR and one tanker
C135FR were deployed in Dushanbe to carry out tactical
reconnaissance missions for ISAF and the coalition against
terrorism. To help promote the development of democracy in
Afghanistan in close collaboration with its allies, the
French Air Force again deployed an air detachment in
Dushanbe, from August through November 2005 during the
parliamentary elections. Within ISAF, the detachment,
which includes three Mirage F1CR, three Mirage 2000D and
two tankers C135FR based in Manas, was intended to
establish an air presence throughout the country and
support ground forces operations to deter any action likely
to disrupt the elections. It was also entrusted with the
mission to undertake reconnaissance and fire support
operations supporting OEF.

59. Finally, the French military participates in the fight
against terrorism within the OEF Task Force 150 (TF 150).
The Task Force is actively involved in the following
operations:
- monitoring air and sea movements in the Red Sea, the Sea
of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf,
- prohibiting the filtration of terrorists to the Arabian
Peninsula or the Horn of Africa,
- fighting against illegal trafficking (weapons, drugs
etc.),
- fighting against piracy and banditry acts.

60. (U) Since February 2003, a EUROMARFOR task group is
part of the TF 150 and operates under the command of the
U.S. staff. The French Navy greatly contributes to the TF
150 (about a quarter of the Task Force) with three ships
operating on a permanent basis. France took command of TF
150 twice from September 2003 to January 2004 and from June
to September 2004.

61. (U) An aircraft based in Djibouti, which was
incorporated into the Task Force 57 (TF 57),is intended to
patrol in coordination with the TF 150 ships. The 62
French ships involved in Operation Enduring Freedom since
15 December 2001 totaled more than 6,000 days at sea.

62. (U) The French Navy's strong participation in CTF-150,
both by continuously providing ships and often providing a
command staff in the Indian Ocean, particularly off of
Somalia and the Gulf of Oman, and the presence of French
Navy liaison personnel at NAVCENT Headquarters in Bahrain
makes possible a good degree of interaction and cooperation
in this key region. The French also maintain maritime
patrol aircraft worldwide and cooperate with the U.S. Navy
where there is common interest.

63. (U) The French also participate in the US Counter-Drug
effort with Naval Forces. A French military officer is
assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF
South) in Key West, to ensure coordination with French
forces in the Caribbean. Fort-de-France in Martinique
supports U.S. Navy and Coast Guard units with port visits
and the Navy Command in Fort-de-France has assisted the
U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard with the movement of
personnel and weapons between various ships and aircraft.
The direct participation of the French Navy in counter-drug
operations consists of the deployment of frigates to the
region to work with U.S. forces on a regular basis and the
use of Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to the region.

64. (U) In 2004, the French Navy stopped three drug
trafficking ships in the Antilles and one Togolese ship in
the Gulf of Guinea with 450 kg of cocaine. The counter
drug effort of the French Navy in 2004 was 199 days at sea,
156 hours of flight, 2058 ships queried, four ships
intercepted, and 1020 kg of drugs ceased.

65. (U) In 2004, the French Navy effort against
clandestine immigration equaled 683 days at sea, 904 flight
hours, three ships intercepted, 43 clandestine immigrants
turned over to border police.


--------------
Subparagraph B. Military Assistance:
NRF/NTMI/Afghanistan/NATO PKO.
-------------- --------------

66. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception. Since 2002, the French have trained more than
2,000 Afghans. This includes three of the initial
battalions; they have set-up the officer basic course and
the staff officer's course. The French are currently
participating in the Embedded Training Team concept with
French Army soldiers assigned to mentor an Afghan battalion
in Kandahar.

67. (U) The French have consistently expressed a desire to
be part of NATO's transformation and interoperability
initiatives as evidenced by their significant national
contributions to the NATO Response Force (NRF). By
participating in NRFs 1 through 6, the total French
military contribution equals up to 40 percent of ground
units, 30 percent of air assets, and 20 percent of naval
capabilities. The French air force provides the deployable
combined air operations center (CAOC) for the European led
NRF. In January 2005, the French air force conducted AIREX
2005, a training exercise, to prepare for command of NRF-05
in July. On July 1st, the French air force became the Joint
Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) of NRF-05 for six
months. In 2004, NATO sent the NRF's Land Component
Command Headquarters, the French led EUROCORPS, to lead the
ISAF in Afghanistan. As part of NRF 5, NATO activated
France's Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) to
coordinate the air movements for the Pakistan earthquake
relief effort. On 1 October 2005, the French formally
created a multinational headquarters to serve as the Land
Component Command for future rotations of the NRF.

68. (U) In 2005, the French also established a Maritime
Component Command HQ to serve in future iterations of
NATO's NRF. The French Navy successfully stood-up the
High-Readiness Force Maritime (HRF-M) staff in Toulon and
qualified the staff during an at-sea exercise in 2005.
This staff, will serve its rotational duties as an on-call
force, ahead of schedule, and is being used by the French
for out-of-area operations, for example, during the
upcoming Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean deployment of the Charles
de Gaulle Carrier Battle Group in early 2006. There is one
U.S. Naval Officer assigned to the HRF-M staff.

69. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.

70. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo. French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. 210
Gendarmes supported both the United Nations Interim mission
in Kosovo and the NATO Intervention Forces in Kosovo.
French Lieutenant General de Kermabon transferred authority
as COMKFOR on 1 September 2005 after one year of command,
the second time France has commanded KFOR. The French
government provided approximately 60 gendarmes, including
20 officers to help combat organized crime under the Office
of the High Representative in Bosnia-Hersegovina.
Additionally, they provided European Union Police and
military police in support of European Union Forces in
Bosnia.

71. (U) The French continue to maintain a small French
military presence (15 personnel) in Macedonia providing
international police in support of the European Police
Mission. They also provide a small presence force (three
military observers) in Georgia to help support the U.N.
monitoring mission.

72. (U) Regarding peacekeeping efforts in Africa, there
has been ongoing debate as to NATO's role in Africa. This
debate was most evident during the 2005 crisis in Darfur
with France focusing its support for the AU through the EU.
France, however, honored its pledge to SECSTATE that it
would not oppose a NATO role in the crisis. France has
provided 80 million euros to Darfur through the African
Union and provides support to Chad on a bilateral basis.
French troops and aircraft are conducting ground and air
border security. During 2005, France provided refueling
support to NATO and EU aircraft at Abech in Eastern Chad,
as well as personnel recovery capabilities using three C-
160 transport aircraft and three Puma helicopters. The
French transported the Senegalese units of the AU force to
Sudan and the Nigerian police contingent.

--------------
Subpara C: Humanitarian Relief Operations
NATOHMRO/Pakistan/Katrina/Tsunami
--------------

73. (U) In 2003, France allotted 9.3 million euros (USD
11.2 million) to what it termed Emergency Humanitarian
Assistance, all of which was channeled through the
Emergency Humanitarian Aid Fund of the MFA. In 2004, the
initial allotment was 9.3 million euros (USD 11.2 million).
The fund may be increased on an extraordinary basis to
finance unexpected operations; this was the case in 2005,
when France announced an emergency increased allotment of
2.8 million euros (USD 3.4 million) in favor of the victims
of natural disasters or civil crises, primarily focused on
the victims of the tsunami in Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Indonesia, and India, and an additional
allocation of 5.6 million euros (USD 6.7 million) for the
victims of the earthquake in Pakistan (see paragraphs
below). The additional aid is imputed into the 2005
balance sheet bringing the total amount of emergency
donations to 16,147,081 million euros. Allotments in 2006
are projected to increase to benefit victims of 2005's
Hurricane Katrina in the United States. For an economic
analysis of general Grant Aid and Humanitarian Assistance
see paragraphs 117-221.

74. (U) Pakistan Relief. The French contributed 82
military personnel to the Pakistan relief effort. In
addition, the French air force deployed two C-130 Hercules
military transport aircraft to deliver relief supplies. The
effort included medical service personnel, a surgical team,
and support personnel (communications, equipment, and
logistics) in Pakistan. Forty-six of the military
personnel were inserted into the various NATO elements in
Islamabad, Lisbon, Germany, and Turkey. Additionally, as
part of NRF 5, NATO activated France's JFACC to coordinate
the air movement piece of the relief effort. The JFACC at
Taverney, near Paris has 23 French, five UK, and one U.S.
officer assigned.

75. (U) KATRINA Relief. The NRF was activated in
September 2005 after hurricane Katrina. At the same time,
France used its Joint Forces Air Component (JFACC) to task
the French Air Force to collect and deliver the 150 tons of
European supplies for Louisiana. This support was
delivered to Ramstein airbase, Germany. The French air
force also provided two transport aircraft to move over
four tons of supplies, including tents, tarps, and 1000
rations, to the US from the Caribbean. Along with these
supplies, the French provided a team of four civil security
personnel to help assess future U.S. needs and distribute
assistance. Two French liaison officers were posted to the
Joint Forces Commander in Lisbon to help coordinate all
European assistance. An Airbus Beluga aircraft also
delivered 12.7 tons of emergency equipment to Mobile,
Alabama;

76. (U) The French Navy deployed a team of 17 Navy divers
to assist with the Katrina disaster. This was facilitated
by the fact that the French maintain a liaison officer with
the U.S. Mine Warfare Command in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 17 French divers worked from September 11, 2005 to
October 8, 2005 helping to clear waterways of debris and
recover vessels.

77. (U) The GOF also offered the following contributions
to assist with Katrina disaster recovery:
--The "Gendarmerie nationale" offered experts in forensic
police;
--The GOF (with Airbus) offered to send an additional 20-
30,000 food rations.

78. (U) Tsunami Relief. The French Navy worked with U.S.
forces and other willing partners following the December
26, 2004 Tsunami in South East Asia. In response to this
disaster, the French Navy re-routed its helicopter carrier,
Jeanne D'Arc, and, after picking up extra emergency
supplies from the French base in Djibouti, sent the units
into the disaster region. By February 1, there were 1,390
French Military personnel assisting in the disaster area,
most aboard the three ships involved. The French
Helicopter Carrier, Jeanne D'Arc, and the Destroyer George
Leygues DD-644 deployed to Indonesia on January 4 until
February 9 while the Destroyer Dupleix DD-641 deployed to
the Maldives from January 5 until February 1, 2005. The
Jeanne D'Arc supplemented the normal on-board complement of
helicopters with an additional two heavy-lift helicopters.
Embarked were 12 medical doctors and support personnel.

79. (U) There was one French Maritime Patrol Aircraft
deployed to Thailand from January 1, 2005 that worked in
cooperation with the U.S. Navy P-3 aircraft. One
additional French Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to Sri
Lanka from December 30, 2004 to January 1, 2005.

80. (U) In support of the tsunami relief in South-East
Asia, the French Gendarmerie provided several investigators
to assist in the identification of victims.

81. (U) Other humanitarian efforts. In 2004, during the
annual Jeanne D'Arc training cruise 9000 vaccinations were
given, 519 tons of humanitarian supplies were delivered.
During a deployment of the Dupleix, 180 tons of
humanitarian supplies were delivered.


-------------- --------------
Subparagraph D. Capacity Building: Strengthening
Governance in the World.
-------------- --------------
82. (U) The major part of France's efforts at capacity
building in the world is focused on Africa. France relies
on its forces stationed in seven nations to conduct most of
its capacity building operations. These include Cameroon,
Togo, the Central African Republic, the Gulf of Guinea,
Haiti, and Cote d'Ivoire. Additionally, France uses
forward presence forces; those stationed through bilateral
defense agreements, for capacity building operations.
Foreign presence forces are in Gabon, Djibouti, Senegal,
the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The table on
French Force Disposition and Exterior Operations presents
the detailed numbers of personnel in each location and the
additional expenditures of each operation. In total, these
capacity building measures cost France 650 million Euros in
2004 (approximately USD 790 million).

83. (U) The RECAMP (Reinforcing the Capabilities of
Africans to Maintain Peace) program remains France's
flagship strategy for defense and military cooperation in
Africa. The goal of RECAMP is to support an autonomous
African security capability. It is also a multinational
program to support the stability of Africa. RECAMP is
based on three pillars: cooperation, training, and support
of African operational engagements. To support operations,
France provides African forces with the materials and
equipment necessary to deploy from three French battalion-
size RECAMP depots. These depots are located in Dakar,
Libreville, and Djibouti. France has offered to make these
depots available for USG use. The French Military
Cooperation Directorate has a 100 million Euro annual
budget and manages a network of 220 French military
personnel located at African military schools and training
centers.

84. (U) In the last cycle for RECAMP IV in West Africa
(Benin) in 2004 -2005, there were 14 African and 16 non-
African participating states, including the United States.
France seeks the participation of all African states in
RECAMP and solicits participation bilaterally and through
the African Union and sub-regional organizations. France
also seeks multinational participation in the form of donor
states and an increasing role of the European Union (EU).
The program's present orientation focuses at the strategic-
level and seeks to prepare the African sub-regional
organizations and eventually the African Standby Forces
(ASF) for peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and
disaster relief operations.

85. (U) Additional Capacity Building Examples: During
2005 in Chad, more than 300 French air force aviators
conducted security and reconnaissance missions within the
framework of the humanitarian operation Darfur.

86. (U) French Gendarmerie has taken the lead in the
development of the European Gendarmerie Force. The initial
commander of the force in the development of the
headquarters is a French Gendarme General and the first
headquarters exercise was conducted in France. The
Gendarmerie has been consistently been asked to provide
general and specialized training to other Gendarme forces
or police forces throughout the world and particularly in
the middle east and Africa. In fact, one French military
police detachment is deployed in support of the United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

87. (U) In Haiti, 40 Gendarme personnel supported the
Multinational Stabilization Force (MINUSTAH) as part of
the 1,000-man contingent of French personnel.

88 (U) Over 150 Gendarme personnel provided international
police support for the United Nations Mission to Cote
D'Ivoire (UNOCI) and to support French intervention during
operation Licorne. This contingent helped protect and
guard functions for diplomatic and disarmament missions of
the Joint Tactics Group.

89. (U) In both 2004 and 2005 French Gendarmerie supported
International Police Missions with detachments of officers
and Gendarmes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Chad, and the Central Africa Republic. In 2004, French
Gendarmes conducted training for the establishment of a
European Union Integrated Police Unit in Kinshasa, Kenya.
In the years 2004 and 2005 approximately 600 French
National Gendarmes were deployed outside France in support
of operations or as reinforcements to diplomatic missions.
Although the numbers fluctuate between the years, the
approximate strengths provided reflect France's general
willingness to contribute gendarme personnel and forces in
support of international efforts.

90. (U) In the summer of 2004, the French began a joint
fighter pilot training school in Cazeaux, France. Spain,
Germany, Singapore, Greece, Switzerland and Poland have
indicated interest in joining. The French also completed
air policing agreements with Spain, Germany, Switzerland,
and Italy allowing greater effectiveness of cross border
air defense.

-------------- --------------
Subpara E: Counterproliferation Contributions and other
GWOT contributions
-------------- --------------

91. (U) As a nuclear state, France endorses deterrence
theory and holds to long-standing NATO doctrines. It has
consistently supported international arms control regimes
as a means of bolstering stability and transparency. It
worked closely with the U.S. leading up to the 2000
Nonproliferation Treaty review conference, and was actively
involved with U.S. experts in preparing for the 2004
prepcom. Although the French remain concerned over
cessation of U.S. efforts to achieve ratification of the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),French officials have
also endorsed the need for updating international strategic
doctrine to include protections such as missile defense, as
well as deterrence and regulatory measures.

92. (U) France serves effectively as permanent secretariat
for the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and
participates actively in the Australia Group for the
control of chemicals, bio-agents/toxins, and technologies
related to CBW, as well as the Nuclear Suppliers Group
(NSG) for controlling nuclear-related, dual-use
technologies. France strongly supports U.S.-initiated
Global Threat Security Initiative efforts, and pursuant to
that initiative hosted a major conference in Bordeaux in
June 2005 on identifying radiological sources. It has
worked closely with the United States on several transfer
cases involving French companies under the Proliferation
Security Initiative. France has encouraged continued work
within the UN Conference on Disarmament (CD) to help
develop guidelines for a fissile material cutoff treaty
regime, and supports activities of that body with respect
to small arms and unexploded ordnance. It coordinates
closely with the U.S. on enforcement of the Chemical
Weapons Convention at the OPCW in The Hague, and on
implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention in
Geneva.

93. (SBU) France accepted the U.S.-proposed G8
architecture that would allow more effective use of the
forum, as well as better management of ongoing G8 projects
including those aimed at reducing stocks of weapons-grade
plutonium in Russia. (France also has a bilateral programs
aimed at helping Russia destroy CW holdings.) France has
supported efforts to single out North Korea and Iran as
states of particular concern on the proliferation front.
The French support bringing North Korea before the UNSC for
its violations of international nonproliferation
obligations. The French share U.S. concerns over Iran's
pursuit of nuclear weapons; and with their British and
German colleagues pursued EU3 negotiations to obtain
Iranian compliance with Iran's Safeguard Agreement
commitments. EU3 efforts led to the signing of the Paris
Agreement in November 2004, under which Iran suspended its
nuclear conversion and enrichment efforts during ongoing
negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Iranian resumption
of conversion in August 2005, and research on enrichment in
December 2005, led to suspension of Paris Agreement
discussions. France and its EU partners, with U.S.
support, continue to pursue efforts to convince Iran to
suspend its nuclear ambitions.

94. (U) The French military continues to maintain strong
contacts with the U.S. and other NATO countries for
contingency planning. During 2004 and 2005, France
conducted planning and exchanges with EUCOM and CENTCOM.
French and U.S. analysts and planners share information on
terrorism and WMD proliferation as well as political-
military developments. From the beginning of operations in
Afghanistan (both OEF and ISAF),and the Lebanon crisis,
French and U.S. planners have continued to work together to
produce effective, timely results. French forces
permanently or temporarily stationed in Africa and Central
Asia have assisted U.S. operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM
theater of operations.

95. (U) The French government also provides overflight
clearance and landing assistance to US counter-narcotic
operations in the SOUTHCOM theater of operations. France
maintains a liaison officer with the Joint Interagency Task
ForceSouth, and provides access to French overseas
territories for U.S. counter-narcotic operations.

96. (U) Since July 1, 2005 the French Armed Forces have an
entirely deployable NBC defense regiment (2nd Dragoon
regiment),which is equipped with specific tools to combat
radiation, nuclear, biological and chemical risks. This
regiment's missions are to prevent and handle military or
technological incidents as well as restore the operational
capacities of the forces deployed.


--------------
--------------
REF A PARA 13:
PFP AND NATO ENLARGEMENT
--------------
--------------


97. (U) Since the inauguration of the Partnership for
Peace (PfP) in 1994, France has supported the program and
participated in its exercises. France believes that PfP
has increased awareness of NATO policies, procedures and
standards among both aspirants and nonmembers that do not
seek membership but that nevertheless wish to participate
in collective security arrangements. France believes that
the involvement of Central Asian and Caucasus states in PfP
has directly increased their willingness to assist in the
war on terrorism. France was an early supporter of the
broad-based invitation list accepted at the Prague Summit.
France favors continued MAP-related assistance to
Macedonia, Albania, and Croatia, and essentially shares
U.S. perspectives on eventual PfP membership for Bosnia-
Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro. France favors extending
PfP-like benefits to states in the current Mediterranean
Dialogue.


--------------
GENERAL DATA ON THE FRENCH MILITARY
--------------

98. (U) French Force Dispositions and External Operations:
As of December

LOCATION/20042005TYPE2004
OPERATIONPer #Per #Mission Cost/M
Euros
Haiti/MINUSTAH 42 42CBNa
Gulf Guinea/CORYMBE 103 230CB 6.23
Cote d'Ivoire/LICORNE54554166CB186.0
Cameroon 50 49CB 2.99
Togo/Gabon/LICORNE 268 99CBNa
CAR/BOALI/FOMUC 213 217CB 7.7
Chad10661086CBNa
Macedonia/ARYM 27 17IM 4.56
Bosnia/EUFOR/EUPM 598 476IM 67.9
Kosovo/KFOR/MINUK32672239IM146.5
Georgia/MONUG 3 3IMNa
Lebanon/Israel/UN 209 200IMNa
Palestine 0 3IMNa
Sinai/FMO 15 15IMNa
Afghan/OEF/ISAF12701047IM 99.3
Afghan/BAHRAL 0 49IMNa
OEF/CJTF150 +HOA 290 681IMNa
BERYX 0 10IMNa
0 1047 IM 99.3
Afghan/BAHRAL 0 49 IM Na
OEF/CJTF150 +HOA 290 681 IM Na
BERYX 0 10 IM Na
Ethiopia/MINUEE 1 1IM .1
Sudan-Darfur/DORCA 4 9IMNa
Burundi/MONUC 3 1IMNa
DROC/MONUC 17 16IM 2.3
Liberia/UNMIL 2 1IMNa
W. Sahara/MINURSO 25 24IM 1.2
Pacific Ocean 182 176FPNa
Senegal11071226FPNa
Djibouti28732831FPNa
Gabon 648 722FPNa
Indian Ocean 390 466FPNa
French Guiana32573353SFNa
Antilles42014202SFNa
Reunion-Mayotte39834133SFNa
New Caledonia26542757SFNa
Polynesia25922153SFNa
St Pierre/Miquelon 77 68SFNa

Total34,947 32,798
CB: Capacity Building Forces
IM: International Mandate Forces
FP: Forward Presence Forces
SF: Sovereignty Forces



Army: Major Equipment Deliveries 2004-2005
--------------

Intelligence:
-18 UAV
Command and Control:
-60 2nd Generation Tactical and Intelligence Systems
Aviation:
-10 Tiger Helicopters
Armored Vehicle Systems:
-60 LECLERC Tanks
-8 Tank Recovery vehicles
-32 AMX 10RC Armored Personnel Carrier upgraded
ems:
-60 LECLERC Tanks
-8 Tank Recovery vehicles
-32 AMX 10RC Armored Personnel Carrier upgraded
-660 VAB Wheeled Armored Personnel Vehicles
-130 VB2L Command and Control Vehicles
Artillery and Counter-Fire Systems:
-38 canons 155mm AUF 1 TA
-6 radars COBRA
-5 systems ATLAS
Transportation:
-1,000 GBC 180 Trucks



Navy: Major Equipment Deliveries 2004-2005
--------------

Intelligence:
-1 Intelligence collection ship
Submarines:
-1 Ballistic missile submarine
Ships:
-4 Minesweepers
-1 Ocean going Tug
-1 Research Vessel
Missiles:
-80 Mica Air to Air
-40 Crotale (marine)
-50 Aster Ground to Air
-20 Scalp-EG Cruise Missile
-50 Torpedoes



Air Force: Major Equipment Deliveries 2004-2005
-------------- ---

Aircraft:
-10 Rafale fighter aircraft
-3 UAV's
-1 A-310 Transport
-7 NH-90 helicopters
Missiles:
-150 Mica Air to Air
-50 Scalp-EG Cruise Missiles
-40 AS-30 Laser Missiles
Satellite: -1 Syracuse Military Comm

FRENCH MILITARY PERSONNEL 2004-2005
--------------

TYPEArmyAir ForceNavy
TYPE Army Air Force Navy
Officer 16,500 6,875 5,100
Enlisted117,50052,60040,100
Civilian 27,500 6,500 9,600
Total161,50065,97554,800




--------------
MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
--------------

99. (U) Please note that the new French presentation of
budgetary information (the LOLF, first mentioned in
paragraph 29) is sufficiently complicated to compel embassy
Paris to include more detail on this new means of reporting
economic information (see paragraphs 111-113).

100. (U) France is presently the fifth largest industrial
economy in the world, with a USD 2 trillion annual Gross
Domestic Product (GDP),about one sixth the size of the GDP
of the United States in 2005. France is the fifth-largest
exporter and the fourth-largest importer in the world
merchandise trade, and is a global leader in high
technology, defense, agricultural products and services.
France is the ninth-largest trading partner of the United
ading partner of the United
States and our third largest in Europe (after Germany and
the UK).

Economic Growth
--------------

101. (U) Real GPD in France rebounded to 2.1% in 2004,
compared to 0.9% in 2003, thanks to reviving domestic
demand, which turned in one of the best performances in the
EU-15. Nonetheless, economic recovery became less robust
under the shocks of oil price hikes and the rise in value
of the euro against the dollar. The government realized
early in 2005 that achieving its 2.5% GDP growth objective
would be hard to achieve without taking some action. In
February, May, and June 2005, the government announced
measures to encourage consumption, stimulate activity of
companies, boost exports, and tackle unemployment. Most of
these measures are not likely to have immediate impacts.
The "No" vote in France's May 29, 2005 referendum on
Europe's new constitution was widely interpreted as a sign
of French voters' deep-rooted unease with France's economic
and social malaise. Public-sector unions' demonstrations
against government plans to reduce the size of the
government (e.g., cut jobs),as part of France's European
commitment to reduce the budget deficit to below 3% of GDP
in 2005, fed public fears of outsourcing, enlargement of
the European Union, immigration, deregulation of European
markets and further deterioration in the labor situation.
After the referendum vote, the French government underwent
a cabinet shake-up, and in September 2005, the government
unveiled its plan for a "social economy", the key feature
of which is the retention of the French social model.

102. (U) Despite government measures, real GDP growth
weakened in 2005, and the government had to revise its GDP
growth target from 2.5% to 2.0%, and later shift to a GDP
growth target range of 1.5 to 2%. Nonetheless, in January
2006, the government said that it was confident 2005 GDP
growth would fall within the 1.5-2.0% range, predicting a
2.0-2.4% (annualized) growth in the fourth quarter.
Economists, members of the Consensus Group of 17 banks and
institutions, forecast GDP growth to range from 1.8% to
2.1% in 2005. Two thirds of them forecast GDP to increase
at least 2% in 2006. That is the bottom of the 2.0-2.5%
range the government has forecast for 2006.

Inflation
--------------

103. (U) Inflation in France remains low and under
control, despite oil price increases. Wage increase
requests remained moderate in 2004 and 2005 due to the weak
labor situation. Consumer prices increased 1.5% in
December 2005 on a year-overyear basis, compared with 2.1%
in December 2004.

Labor Situation
--------------

104. (U) The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 10%
throughout 2004. Unemployment decreased to 9.6% in
November 2005 after peaking at 10.2% in March 2005, a 5-
year high. It remained higher than the government objective
of 9% for a variety of reasons, including low job creation
in the private sector, despite a decrease in persons
looking for work and government measures introduced in 2005
for job creation, including government-subsidized
contracts. With the 2007 presidential elections in mind,
the government has chosen to subsidize job creation, rather
than press for economic reforms to address structural
causes of unemployment. In January 2006, the government
announced the creation of another new employment program
aimed at boosting youth employment, since the youth
unemployment rate remained high (22.8% in November 2005).
Prior to this announcement, private-sector economists had
projected the unemployment rate to decrease only slightly
in 2006 due to modest job creation in the private sector.

Budget Deficit, Public Debt and the EU Stability and Growth
Pact
-------------- --------------

105. (U) In 2004, France broke the EU stability and growth
pact limit with a budget deficit over 3% of GDP for the
third straight year. The 2004 overall budget deficit
including central government, social security and local
authorities exceeded 3.6% of GDP in 2004, falling from 4.2%
in 2003 due lower growth in central government spending.
The deficit remained above 3% of GDP mainly due to a rise
in social security expenditures, notably health insurance.
The government has been struggling to reduce the budget
deficit in the face of lower-than-expected economic growth.
Reducing the budget deficit depends on high tax receipts
(thus on solid economic growth),finding ways to check
social spending, particularly for health care, and sticking
to a "zero budget growth" policy among all ministries,
while being mindful of opposition politicians and unions'
resistance to reforms.

106. (U) In January 2006, Finance Minister Thierry Breton
said that the economy's vigor in the second half of 2005,
combined with strict control of central government budget
spending, made him confident that France would finally
respect the 3%-of-GDP ceiling in 2005. Higher than
expected tax receipts at year-end 2005, notably due to an
earlier collection of the corporate income tax downpayment,
allowed the government to project a budget deficit of 2.9%
in 2005. Nonetheless, the overall deficit is still overly
dependent on progress tackling the public sector health
insurance deficit.

107. (U) France's public debt continued to significantly
exceed the EU's stability and growth pact limit of 60% of
GDP, amounting to 64.7% of GDP in 2004, and an estimated
66.2% of GDP in 2005. To fund its debt and repay maturing
debt, the government will sell 125 billion euros in notes
and bonds in 2006. In 2005, much of the financing of the
public debt came from payments by the state-owned company
Electricite de France, in exchange for the government
assuming pension liabilities. The government will be
considering other proposals to reduce the public debt, and
is earmarking privatization proceeds for debt reduction.

Reforms
--------------

108. (U) France has to pursue efforts on structural
reforms to achieve its full economic potential and to
improve its competitiveness. Prime areas for reform
include continued tax and government spending reduction,
increased flexibility of labor markets, and further
deregulation of goods and services sectors. The
government, formed after presidential and legislative
elections in spring 2002, has undertaken reforms slowly.
President Chirac appears determined to keep electoral
promises, such as tax cuts. The French benefited from five
per cent income tax cuts in 2002, one percent in 2003, and
another three per cent in 2004. However, the government in
2005 had to stop cutting taxes due to its ballooning budget
deficit. On the positive side, France has responded to
competitive pressures by implementing market-oriented
economic reforms of its pension and health insurance
systems, simplifying administrative procedures, and
offering a variety of investment incentives. France is
changing its historic tendency of centralization in favor
of transferring more power to its regional territories, to
free the territories' energies, to eliminate redundant
structures, and to make productivity gains at the national
and local levels. In 2005, the government made labor
regulations more flexible to facilitate lay-offs, modified
the law to make the 35-hour workweek more flexible and
created new hiring contracts which limit minimum lay-off
procedures for companies of less than 20 employees.
Negotiations between businesses and employees
representatives begun in December 2005 might result in a
reduction of unemployment benefits. The government has
indicated its intention to continue reforms: reforming the
tax structure, eliminating labor market rigidities, and
scaling back the role of the state in the economy.
Regarding privatizations, the government announced
preliminary plans in 2002, but the subsequent global slump
in air transportation and equity markets put a brake in
privatizations through the sale of shares. In 2003 and
2004, the government reduced its stakes in large companies
such as Air France-KLM (to 44.6 from 54.0 percent),France
Telecom (to 42.2 from 54.5 percent),Thales (formerly
Thomson CSF, to 31.3 from 33.3 percent),Renault (to 15.6
from 26.0 percent),and Thomson (to 2.0 from 20.8 percent
through TSA). Smaller projects were carried out, such as
the privatizations of SAPRR (Paris-Rhin-Rhone highway
company),and of the electricity company SNET. In 2005,
the government sold shares in the energy sector companies
EDF and GDF, retaining a 85.9% stake in EDF and a 79% stake
in GDF, but postponed the privatization of the nuclear
energy company, Areva. After a long process in 2005, the
sale of toll-road companies ASF, APRR and Sanef will be
effective in early 2006. Capital openings for employees of
Aeroports de Paris and EDF are planned for 2006. The
government still has stakes in Bull and Safran (renamed
after Sagem merged with Snecma),and in 1,280 other firms,
and has stated its intention to continue privatization.

Defense Spending Defense budgets 2006 Highlights
-------------- --------------

109. (U) The French central government budget process
operates on a different cycle and with different precepts
than the U.S. system. Budgets for the year ahead are
adopted on or about December 30 of a given calendar year,
and may be adjusted one or more times in the course of the
year during which spending occurs. The 2004 initial
defense budget (E 41.6 billion including pensions or USD
51.7 billion) was adjusted to include additional spending
and cancellations. The adjustment cancelled 471 million
euros or USD 586 million to credit payments, and allotted
870 million euros or USD 1,082 million to credit payments
for military operating spending, including for external
operations (608 million euros or USD 756 million).
Similarly, the initial 2005 budget was modified, notably
y
allotting 467 million euros (USD 581 million) to credit
payments for external operations in 2005.

110. (U) The following tables trace the evolution of
overall defense budgets from 2003 to 2006 in millions of
euros. Percentages reflect nominal changes, not/not
corrected for inflation. Post provides separate charts for
planned and actual expenditures in order to demonstrate
that within-year adjustments (use of support funds
appropriations),as well as changes in appropriations and
in the way they are allocated are the norm for France, and
to emphasize that France increased its commitment to
defense significantly beginning in 2003. In 2004, defense
spending increased 0.25% to 11.42% of the central
government budget, and 0.5% to 2.01% of GDP. Based on
initial government data, defense spending in 2005 accounted
for 14.7% of the central government budget, and 2.5% of
GDP.

PlannedActual
Defenseper cent.Defenseper cent
BudgetschangeSpendingchange
ding change
(INCL. pensions)(EXCL. Pensions)

(euro millions)(euro millions)

2003 39,9646.130,1763.3


2004 41,5654.031,3283.8

200542,4242.1n.a.n.a.

(Note: Military pensions come under the defense budget in
the planned budget, but are considered as civilian
expenditures when the budget comes to execution.)

--------------
Evolution of Defense Budgets
--------------

(euro millions)

CY03CY04CY05
--------------

Title III 17,42617,50417,725
(Operations)
Credit Payments


Title V & VI13,64414,89815,198
(Procurement
and Debt Service)


Total Credit31,07032,40232,923
Payments


Title V & VI15,30016,76915,315
(Program
authorizations)


Pensions 9,8109,91010,062



2006 New Presentation
--------------

111. (U) Beginning in 2006, the government modified
greatly its budget presentation pursuant to the August 1,
2001 Law pertaining to financial bills ("Loi Organique de
,
2001 Law pertaining to financial bills ("Loi Organique de
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
PROG 02/02/06
DCM:KHOFMANN
POL:LORDEMAN
POLM/C:JROSENBLATT, POL:GRECINOS, DATT:MGUILLOT,
ECON:KMERTEN, ECON:OVANMAERSSEN

AMEMBASSY PARIS
SECSTATE WASHDC
AMEMBASSY PARIS
SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USNMR SHAPE BE
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA

STATE FOR PM/SNA, EUR/WE; OSD FOR OSD/PA&E, OASD/ISA/EUR,
OASD/ISA/NP, OASD/ISA/AP, OASD/ISA/NESA AND OASD/ISA/BTF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MCAP, FR
SUBJECT: EMBASSY PARIS SUBMISSION TO THE 2005/2006 REPORT
TO CONGRESS ON ALLIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON DEFENSE
REF: A. STATE 223383
B. PARIS 000005


This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for
Internet dissemination.

1. (U) Summary: This telegram constitutes Embassy Paris's
country submission for the 2005/2006 Report to Congress on
Allied Contributions to the Common Defense (requested Ref
A). We report on developments that took place during
calendar years 2004 and 2005 and offer cost sharing
information for U.S. fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Embassy's
contributions to the Report to Congress are keyed to
paragraphs in Ref A where specific information is
requested. End Summary.

--------------
--------------
Ref A Para 8: General Assessment
--------------
--------------

Overview
--------------
2. (U) France bears a significant share of the burden of
defending international security and stability. It is
firmly committed to conflict resolution, non- and
counterproliferation, as well as to maintaining adequate
conventional and nuclear capabilities. Only a few nations
have the military capability to project power to a distant
theater and sustain operations. France is one of these
nations. It has the military personnel, equipment, and
command capabilities as well as the will to employ them
throughout the world. It is this total operational
capability, and the resolve to act on the international
stage, which allows the French military to participate and
lead in an international framework, including through the
European Union and NATO. Africa comprises the heaviest
French military commitment abroad. However, France is also
a significant contributor to international military
operations in Central--Southwest Asia and the Balkans. By
helping to stabilize sensitive areas in Central Asia, the
Balkans, or in Sub-Saharan Africa, overseas operations led
by the French Armed Forces have helped to prevent those
areas from becoming safe-havens for terrorist activity.
Throughout 2004 and 2005, France has been a major
contributor in the fight against terrorism as part of the
international coalition in Afghanistan. As such, France
volunteered to participate under the command of the United
States in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Moreover,
security, stabilization and training operations led by the
French Armed Forces within the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) is helping Afghanistan in its
transition from a terrorist sanctuary to a growing
democracy.

3. (U) France maintains the largest active duty military
force in the European Union and the second largest active
duty military force in NATO, with an active force of
approximately 355,000. Furthermore, France sustains a
large percentage of this active duty force deployed in
operations in overseas French territories or in sovereign
territories around the world. The average number of
deployed forces outside of France was 35,000 in 2004, and
32,500 in 2005. Over 13,500 of those deployed are actively
engaged in international mandates supporting counter-
terrorist operations, humanitarian operations, peacekeeping
operations, stability operations, and capacity building.
To support this level of external international mandate
operations, France spends approximately USD 790 million per
year from a defense budget of 52 billion dollars.

France's Global Reach: Peace Support Operations Worldwide
-------------- --------------

4. (U) France eagerly participates in international peace
support operations and is a leading force contributor to
stabilization operations in the Balkans and in Africa. In
Cote d'Ivoire, France's most significant overseas
operation, French troops enforce a tenuous cease-fire and
are providing the backbone to the United Nations operation
as a quick reaction force. French troops have been
actively engaged since the summer of 2004 in preventing the
Darfur crisis from expanding into Chad. In the Balkans,
French troops are present in every military mission across
Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia: SFOR/EUFOR, KFOR, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, EUMM, and ALTHEA. During "Operation Secure
Tomorrow," to stabilize Haiti, France deployed the second
largest contingent alongside the United States.
Contributing troops under international mandate is a point
of principle in Paris. The UN, where France has a veto as
a permanent member of the Security Council, is its
preferred forum for crisis resolution. France has
observers currently participating in UN missions in the
Balkans, Georgia, Lebanon, Israel, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
Burundi, DROC, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Western Sahara, and
Haiti. It also participates in the multinational force in
the Sinai.


France and the War in Iraq
--------------

5. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.


France and the War on Terrorism
--------------

6. (U) France is currently the third-largest contributor
to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan, and one of the few nations other
than the U.S. to have had troops engaged in Operation
Enduring Freedom, ISAF and training programs for the Afghan
army since these efforts began. French Mirage-2000
fighters have flown with USAF fighters to assist American
and Afghan ground troops. French deployments to the Horn
of Africa remain focused on counterterrorism; the French
assisted in the establishment of USCJTF Horn of Africa, and
otherwise continue to allow the U.S. to share their base in
Djibouti in connection with operations in the Indian Ocean,
Red Sea and Persian Gulf. France is a part of Task Force
150, a multinational naval force that patrols the Red Sea
and the Persian Gulf to interdict the movement of suspected
terrorists from Afghanistan to the Arabian Peninsula.

7. (U) France participates in Operation Active Endeavor in
the Eastern Mediterranean. France is also actively
involved with the Proliferation Security Initiative. It is
also a party to all 12 existing international terrorism
conventions and is active in the UN and G8 counterterrorism
committees.

8. (U) In 2005, France continued to discover and dismantle
terror networks present on its soil, including several that
recruited jihadists to Iraq. Following the July 2005
bombings in London, French officials worked closely with
their British counterparts. They also identified a number
of deficiencies in their counterterrorism capabilities, and
proposed legislation to remedy these deficiencies. This
fast-tracked legislation became law in late January, 2006.
The French government is also expected to issue in February
2006 a "white book" on terrorism that will underscore their
belief that terrorism is a primary strategic threat to
France, and that dealing with it is consequentially a
central priority. France consults extensively with the
U.S. on terrorism, at the tactical and strategic level.


Africa
--------------

9. (U) The French military has shown an increasing
interest to cooperate with others, particularly with the
U.S., in Africa. In the past three years, there have been
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) executed in three
African countries, NEO planning for four other potential
crises, as well as U.S. and French multilateral programs,
such as GPOI - ACOTA, RECAMP, and joint financial and
logistical support for ECOWAS, ECCAS, and the African
Union. In the Gulf of Guinea and Trans-Sahel region,
France has expressed interest in the U.S. effort to improve
the posture of African countries in the fight against
terrorism. Both the U.S. and France continue to broadly
support capacity building for African militaries. (See
paragraphs 12, 32 40, 42-43, 46, 59, 72, 82-86, 89 and 94
for more on French involvement in Africa.)


France, NATO and ESDP
--------------

10. (SBU) Despite its singular stance on alliance
membership (France is not a member of NATO's integrated
military command),France has continued to demonstrate
willingness to engage in NATO responses to common
challenges. France has been a major contributor to
operations in the Balkans (SFOR, now EUFOR, and KFOR) and
in NATO's operations in Afghanistan (International Security
Assistance Force). In KFOR in Kosovo, French troops are the
second-largest national contingent, significantly
outnumbering U.S. units. In Afghanistan, France has some
900 troops, which will increase to approximately 1400 in
August 2006, when France assumes command of the Kabul
region of ISAF. During December 2004-August 2005, France
held the rotating command of ISAF. France also contributed
to NATO Humanitarian Relief Operations in Bagh, Pakistan.

11. (SBU) The French have consistently expressed their
support for NATO's transformation, and are contributing
substantial resources to the NATO Response Force: the
French military has identified forces that at initial
stages will amount to 40 per cent of ground units, 30 per
cent of air assets, and 20 per cent of naval capabilities,
and has proposed contributing EUROCORPS to the NRF at a
later stage. France has restructured some of its own
forces with land, air and sea High Readiness Response force
fully compatible with the NATO Response Force. It has
offered headquarter slots in Lille for fellow NATO members.

12. (SBU) Interest in being part of NATO transformation
has not diminished the deep commitment of the GoF to
fostering European security and defense arrangements. Many
in the GoF envision that transatlantic security relations
of the future will increasingly include bilateral U.S.-EU
cooperation. Throughout 2004 and 2005, the French
vigorously pursued their goal of establishing independent
European defense structures and supporting increased EU
missions. France supported an EU assistance mission to
Darfur in the Sudan, to support the African Union's
intervention. France continues to push its EU partners for
completion of a separate EU planning headquarters, a small
but independent EU operational planning unit, as well as an
EU cell at SHAPE. EU operations may also continue to be
planned at national headquarters. Additionally, France has
been a key player in setting up and funding the European
Defense procurement agency (EDA),designed to coordinate
defense procurement among EU allies, and which became
operational in 2005 with a small staff numbering some 80
persons and a budget of 20 million euros.

13. (U) In January 2006, the European gendarmerie force
was formally inaugurated in Vicenza, Italy. The concept
dates back to October 2003, when French Defense Minister
Michele Alliot-Marie proposed the creation of the European
gendarmerie consisting of some 800 gendarmes from Spain,
Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands to take on police
training and other police functions as part of the EU's
response to crises.


French Training and Participation in Joint Exercises
-------------- --------------

14. (U) In the European AOR, in cooperation with the US
Commander Naval Forces Europe, the French Navy participated
in 3 Non-NATO exercises and 6 NATO exercises in 2004
including a Proliferation Security Initiative exercise, a
NATO anti-submarine exercise, a Multi-lateral Livex, PFP
exercise BALTOPS 04, and a NATO Joint fleet training
exercise (a major NRF event sponsored by NATO).

15. (U) In 2005, France participated in 6 Non-NATO
exercises and 13 NATO exercises. The French Navy
participated in RECAMP IV, JMC 05-1 and 05-2, a
multilateral FTX helping qualify the Italian maritime High
Readiness Force (HRF),two multilateral anti-submarine
exercises, Trident D'Or (the exercise to qualify the French
maritime HRF, a LIVEX Mine Warfare Exercise in the North
Sea, FRUKUS (CPX/FTX with French, Russian, U.S., and U.K.
navy participation, Sorbet Royale (a LIVEX Submarine Rescue
Exercise),Bright Star (a multi-national, multi-warfare
LIVEX executing in Egypt),Loyal Midas (a multilateral FTX
to qualify a stand-by Maritime Component Commander for a
future NRF rotation.

16. (U) Overall objectives for Navy training in 2005 were:
100 days at sea per ship, 13 exercises, four of which were
Amphibious exercises, three of which were mine warfare
exercises, two deployments of the Charles de Gaulle CVBG,
participation in one major NATO exercise, participation in
one major EU exercise and five Joint exercises.

17. (U) The French air force continues to seek
opportunities to exercise and train with the US. During
2005, the French air force participated in Exercise Bright
Star in Egypt, and Exercise Air Warrior in the US. France
also continues to offer the US opportunities to use their
training ranges and training airspace associated with
Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.


French Support for Space Launch Activities
--------------

18. (U) France supported multiple space launch activities
from their facilities in the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and
the south of France. The French government approved a US
request to use the islands of Reunion and Nuka Hiva for
telemetry tracking missions supporting NASA space launches.
Additionally, the French support US space shuttle launches
with access to the French Air Base in Istres France as an
alternate shuttle landing site.


Defense Trade and Industrial Cooperation
--------------

19. (U) Source priorities in order of importance for
French defense acquisition remain France, EU, and all
others (to include the U.S.). National pride and limited
budgets govern this order. The French defense industry
continues to provide the greatest depth and breadth of any
western European country. While its technology is
sometimes peer-level with the U.S., it is actually superior
in specific niche areas (e.g., thermal imaging and optics).
The single most limiting factor is defense spending.
20. (U) In the past year, the French Ministry of Defense
continued its pursuit of revitalization of forces. Despite
competing government interests, the budget of the Defense
Ministry remained untouched (the Interior was the only
other ministry spared from budget cuts). Highlights for
2005-2006 spending include: a second aircraft carrier;
introduction of the Rafale fighter aircraft; the European
Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM); Network-Centric command and
control systems; Tigre and NH-90 helicopters; transport
aircraft; third and fourth strategic missile submarines;
and cruise missile development. Only minor increases in
research and development, as compared to previous years,
were approved.

21. (U) Foreign Military Sales from the US increased from
FY03 to FY04 (USD 45.6M to USD 66.9M),while direct
commercial sales decreased (USD 18.9M to USD 12.7M.)
Pending US sales include the Aircraft Launch and Recovery
Equipment (ALRE) for the second French aircraft carrier,
and a cruise missile simulator. FMS training funds were
expended as in previous years, with the majority centered
on carrier aviation training and support.

22. (U) Service-specific Data Exchange Agreements (DEAs)
remained essentially stable, yet significantly,
renegotiation of four Navy DEAs was concluded, extending
their expiration dates to 2010. Discussions continue
regarding remaining DEAs and four newly proposed
agreements. Foreign Comparative Testing programs continue
to show interest in French technologies, with recent focus
on underwater GPS, perimeter defense, shipboard self-
defense, and bomb casing design. Benchmarking studies have
been conducted on ship design and manpower reduction.

23. (U) U.S. defense acquisition and sales interests in
France are significant and include (by service): for the
Air Force, C-130J, KC-130J, C-17 sales and French AWACS
upgrade; for the Army and USMC, Sophie, 120mm rifled
mortars, Active Protection System armor for ground
vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles; for the Navy, ALRE
sale, unmanned submerged/underwater vehicles, and maritime
domain awareness, and network-centric enabled operations.
All services are focused on any technology that can assist
in the efforts of the IED Task Force.

24. (U) Privatization of the defense sector has continued,
albeit at a slow pace. Although the GoF still maintains
so-called "golden shares" in several firms, globalization
has eroded their total control in this arena. For example,
the recently privatized shipbuilding firm DCN has again
partnered with Thales in planning the second French
aircraft carrier, and was recently awarded a contract by
the French Navy for total lifetime maintenance support for
their fleet warships and major combat systems.

25. (U) The anticipated absorption of OCCAR (the
Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation) into the
European Defense Agency has stalled, although OCCAR did
play a role in guiding the French and Italian defense
ministries to select the General Electric engines for the
European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) in late 2005.

26. (U) The EU's European Capabilities Action Plan (ECAP)
goal is to coordinate financing processes and to get
European defense industry involved in identifying and
filling gaps. There is also a recent effort to engage
university research labs through funding made available
from private industries. Further privatization and
increased competitiveness of the French defense sector
should support these trends.

27. (U) Tangential but significant issues to defense
cooperation include continued pursuit of a Declaration of
Principles (DoP) on armaments and end-use controls required
by the U.S. on jointly produced systems, which prevent
French sales to third parties without USG approval (viewed
with concern by French government and private industry
alike though France requires similar guarantees from their
customers for French products). On the other hand, U.S.
Presidential intervention in rejecting the so-called "buy
American" provisions in the recent U.S. defense bill was
well received.
28. (U) Recent overtures on the part of both the U.S. and
French governments have led to an increase in official
bilateral defense discussions and activity. The impending
change of government in 2007 will have a significant impact
on whether or not this trend continues. While France's
2005 vote against the EU referendum was seen as a setback
to both the French government and to the EU's future, its
full effect remains to be seen. As noted above, there are
signs of consolidation of efforts among EU institutions,
specifically in the defense arena. Economic realities and
collective resolve should eventually determine whether
these trends continue.


The Future of French Defense Spending
--------------

29. (U) Future French Defense budgets must conform to a
new inter-governmental finance law known by the acronym
LOLF (Organic Law of the Finance Law). In this new
framework, the funding made available to the Ministry of
Defense abandons the traditional budget distributions by
'Titles' and instead is presented as 'missions and
programs'. The most significant of these is the mission to
'Put into action the National Defense Policy'. Two of its
supporting programs are 'Prepare the Force' and 'Equip the
Force'. In all, the Defense Ministry budget will be
organized around four missions and nine supporting
programs. In an effort to improve the coherence of the
defense budget, the LOLF ties budgetary allocations to
performance. Also, for the first budget cycle under this
new system, the Chiefs of Staff of the services have less
influence on service budgets. Their role is now to assure
the coherence of the budget rather than the direction of
it. In a May 21, 2005 Presidential decree, the Chiefs of
the Armed Services are now subordinate to the Chief of
Defense (CHOD). The CHOD now controls all budgets and
procurement financing. Service budgets now must pass
through the CHOD before they go to the Minister's office
for approval. (For more information on defense spending and
the LOLF see paragraphs 111-113.)

30. (U) The 2006 defense budget represents a 2.2% increase
over the 2005 fiscal year. In spite of the Defense
Minister's ability to protect the defense budget from cuts,
there continue to be difficulties for the French military
in the future. These difficulties stem primarily from
three areas: first, the inflationary pressures of the
price of energy; second, cost overruns/delays in
procurement; and third, increased maintenance costs. Most
of the planning for the current five-year budget requests
was predicated on the cost of a barrel of oil at half the
current price. This increase will translate into fewer
flying hours, fewer training days, and fewer days at sea in
the next few years. Procurement of several current
military systems is behind the original schedule or
experiencing technical problems. These delays include the
Tigre helicopter, Rafale fighter aircraft, A-400M transport
aircraft, and the new command ship (BPC). The final
expense increase will be the result of maintaining the
older systems in the French military until sufficient
numbers can replace them.


Transforming Military Capabilities
--------------

31. (U) In spite of not being part of the integrated
military command structure of NATO, in January, 2004 France
received two general officer billets within the command:
one at Atlantic Command Operations (SHAPE) and one at
Atlantic Command Transformation (Norfolk). The French have
assigned 110 military personnel to the two headquarters,
representing 2.04% of overall NATO staff posts. The French
have also agreed to increase their contribution to Alliance
military budgets from 4.9% to 7.4%. Nonetheless, despite
disclaimers to the contrary, the French have given mixed
signals over the past two years on their vision of the
future NATO. These views have ranged from a desire for
closer integration with NATO to generally limiting the
scope of NATO's operations or in favor of an EU defense
force.
32. (U) France has been a leading proponent to advance a
"battle-group" concept to create rotational 1500-man size
forces for use in Chapter VII mandates by the European
Union. Based on the EU Operation ARTEMIS model (the French
led deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in
2003) the force would be capable of responding to a crisis
within 15 days and be sustainable for 30 days minimum, 120
days maximum. Full operational capability is scheduled for
2007. The French insist that these battle groups would be
compatible with NATO NRF rotations, with either taking the
lead on the basis of a mutually-agreed decision. Africa
has been mentioned as a primary venue for the battle-
groups.

33. (U) The French Army is investing in UAVs, the Improved
Infantry Armored Vehicle (VBCI),advanced communications
equipment, counter-fire radars, and lighter equipment for
armored units. They are beginning the process of
digitization of the Army's battlefield systems and
purchasing an individual soldier system - the Felin, the
French Army's equivalent to the U.S. Army's Land Warrior
system. These initiatives will enhance French abilities to
interoperate with US forces and systems.

34. (U) The French Navy has stood up and qualified the HRF
(M) headquarters staff, the naval component headquarters of
France's NRF, in Toulon in 2004 and 2005. This force will
deploy to the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean in 2006.
Additionally, the Admiral, Naval Action Force (ALFAN) in
Toulon has continued to develop over 2004 and 2005. This
command is now roughly equivalent to the U.S. Fleet Forces
Command and has responsibilities for training, certifying,
and equipping French naval forces. In an effort to improve
intelligence support to the French Navy, the French stood
up a French intelligence command called Centre de
Renseignment Martime (CRMar).

35. (U) In the context of trying to become more efficient
and capable of joint and international operations, the
French Air Force is in the process of a major
reorganization. In November 2003, a project team of senior
staff officers, outgoing base commanders and civilian
consultants was created and given the mission to develop a
plan to create a better Air Force. The project team started
its work in September 2004 and unveiled the plan in October
2005. The ideas will be progressively implemented
beginning in 2006. This ambitious reorganization project,
named Air 2010, aims in particular at removing duplication
and creating synergy. It will serve to optimize the air
base network while preserving existing capabilities. In
summary, the Air Force will replace the twelve current
commands with four large functional 'poles.' The
Operations Pole will be in charge of current operations in
France and abroad. The Forces pole will be charged with
leading the preparation and training of the whole of the
combat forces. The Support Pole will bring together within
the same staff all the maintenance, logistics, and life
support. The Personnel Pole will join together all the
personnel training and staff management functions.

36. (U) The French military is actively exploring ways to
increase interoperability with the U.S. with respect to the
global information grid and uses of information on the
modern battlefield. As of late 2005, the French MOD has
directed increased contact between French military
officials and U.S. military officials in an effort to
ensure the French capability to interoperate with the U.S.
is maintained and improved. This French initiative is
aimed at keeping up with the U.S. lead in information
technology, particularly targeting data and friendly force
tracking. The French desperately want to preserve the
ability to conduct combat operations with the U.S. in every
domain air, land, and sea.



Recent Contingency Operations, Military Assistance,
Humanitarian Relief Operations, Peacekeeping, Capacity
Building, Counterproliferation and Nuclear Threat
Reduction.
-------------- --------------

37. (U) The French continue to show their support for
operations in Afghanistan. In 2006, they are planning to
augment their forces to support the increased
responsibilities of the Kabul regional command in addition
to the military assets already in place in support of ISAF
and OEF (see paragraphs 53-56 for more detail).
Furthermore, the French continue to be actively involved in
the fight against terrorism through the OEF Task Force 150
and in the US Counter-Drug effort (see paragraphs 59-60 for
more detail.)
38. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception and the French have consistently expressed a
desire to be part of NATO's transformation and
interoperability initiatives as evidenced by their
significant national contributions to the NATO Response
Force (NRF) (see paragraphs 66-67 for more detail).

39. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo and French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. The French
continue to maintain a small French military presence in
Macedonia. They also provide a small presence force in
Georgia. (See paragraphs 70-71 for more detail).

40. (U) In Africa, France has provided 80 million euros to
Darfur through the African Union and provides support to
Chad on a bilateral basis. The French transported the
Senegalese units of the AU force to Sudan and the Nigerian
police contingent. (See paragraph 72 for more detail).

41. (U) In response to natural disasters in 2004 and 2005
France contributed substantially to Pakistan Earthquake
relief efforts, the South Asian Tsunami relief efforts, and
relief efforts after hurricane Katrina hit the southern
United States. (See paragraphs 73-81 for more detail).

42. (U) The major part of France's efforts at capacity
building in the world is focused on Africa where France
relies on its forces stationed in seven nations to conduct
most of its capacity building operations (see paragraphs
82-85 for more detail). Also, 4000 French troops stand
alongside UNOCI in Operation Licorne in Cote d'Ivoire in
support of the UN operation, in addition to the French
permanent base in Abidjan.

43. (U) French Gendarmerie has taken the lead in the
development of the European Gendarmerie Force. French
Gendarmes are also deployed in Lebanon (UNIFIL),Haiti
(MINUSTAH),Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI),the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Chad, and the Central Africa Republic. They
also conducted training in Kinshasa, Kenya (see paragraphs
86-89 for more detail).

44. (U) In the summer of 2004, the French also began a
joint fighter pilot training school in Cazeaux, France (see
paragraph 90 for more detail).

45. (U) As a nuclear state, France endorses deterrence
theory and holds to long-standing NATO doctrines. It has
consistently supported international arms control regimes
as a means of bolstering stability and transparency. In
addition to its continued support for international
mechanisms to limit proliferation, France with their
British and German colleagues pursued EU3 negotiations to
obtain Iranian compliance with Iran's Safeguard Agreement
commitments. EU3 efforts led to the signing of the Paris
Agreement in November 2004. Iranian resumption of
conversion in August 2005, and research on enrichment in
December 2005, led to suspension of Paris Agreement
discussions. France and its EU partners, with U.S.
support, continue to pursue efforts to convince Iran to
suspend its nuclear ambitions. (See paragraphs 91-93 for
more detail).

46. (U) The French military continues to maintain strong
contacts with the U.S. and other NATO countries for
contingency planning. During 2004 and 2005, France
conducted planning and exchanges with EUCOM and CENTCOM.
French and U.S. analysts and planners share information on
terrorism and WMD proliferation as well as political-
military developments. From the beginning of operations in
Afghanistan (both OEF and ISAF),and the Lebanon crisis,
French and U.S. planners have continued to work together to
produce effective, timely results. French forces
permanently or temporarily stationed in Africa and Central
Asia have assisted U.S. operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM
theater of operations.


--------------
--------------
REF A PARAS 9-10: DIRECT COST-SHARING
--------------
--------------

47. (U) No direct cost sharing activities occur in France



--------------
--------------
REF A PARA 11: INDIRECT COST SHARING
--------------
--------------

48. (U) No indirect cost-sharing activities as described
in Ref A paragraph 11 occur in France. However the U.S.
did receive several types of miscellaneous indirect cost-
sharing benefits from France as described below.


Overflight Clearances, Port Access, Use of French
Facilities
-------------- --------------

49. (U) In 2004, France granted overflight and landing
clearances to 1842 USG missions. 977 of these missions
were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 76 of these
missions supported operations in the Balkans. During 2005,
France granted 2061 overflight and landing clearances to
USG missions. 811 of these missions supported OIF while 68
supported Balkan operations. France continued to grant
blanket overflight clearances to most USG missions allowing
over flights of and landings in France without notice.

50. (U) The 744 Expeditionary Air Base Group operated
three KC-135 tanker aircraft from Istres Airbase in
southern France during most of 2004. This group of 100 US
military personnel flew air refueling missions supporting
operations in the Balkans. The French provided fuel tax-
free. The mission ended in December 2004.

51. (U) Tax concessions on fuel and landing fees for non-
operational missions during 2004 totaled approximately 4000
dollars. During 2005 these concessions totaled 8450
dollars.

52. (U) During 2004 the US Navy made 14 port calls to
facilities in metropolitan France. In 2005 the number of
port calls was 29. In all cases, the French Navy provided
excellent support and force protection services without
cost. Additionally, no taxes were imposed for supplies or
parts for US ships visiting French ports.


-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
REF A PARA 12 RECENT CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS, MILITARY
ASSISTANCE, HUMANITARIAN RELIEF OPERATIONS, CAPACITY
BUILDING, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND NUCLEAR THREAT
REDUCTION
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------

-------------- --------------
Subparagraph A: Recent Contingency operations (See French
Force Disposition and External Operations Table for
personnel numbers)
-------------- --------------
53. (U) The French were among the first nations to
volunteer troops to the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and France continues to
be responsible for Kabul International Airport and the area
north of Kabul to the U.S. base at Bagram. A French
battalion has been a part of ISAF since December 2001.
From August 2004 to February 2005, a French general
commanded the NATO-led ISAF. France has proposed an
increased role in ISAF and offered to lead Regional
CommandKabul as part of the NATO reorganization and
expansion of ISAF. In October 2005, France and Turkey
announced that they would co-lead Regional Command-Kabul.
The French are planning to augment their forces from the
current 700 in ISAF to between 1,000 1,200 personnel to
support the increased responsibilities of the regional
command to include providing a Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
battalion. The French have continued to provide a military
police detachment in support of ISAF.

54. (U) Supporting OEF, the French Armed Forces continue
to be actively involved in the fight against terrorism.
200 members of the French Special Forces are currently
deployed in the South of Afghanistan alongside U.S. Special
Forces in military operations against the Taliban.

55. (U) France assigned liaison officers to the U.S. staff
headquarters in Tampa to ensure the interface between the
military authorities of the two countries. French forces
were directly involved in the fight against terrorism by
y
carrying out the following missions:

56. (U) The air and sea group took part in air operations
above Afghanistan in April-May 2004 (84 aircrafts were
involved in operational missions for 450 flight hours).
The French Air Force deployed within less than 48 hours six
Mirage 2000D and two refueling aircraft from metropolitan
France to the deployable airbase in Manas (Kyrgyzstan)
which played a key role in the prosecution of air
campaigns.

57. (U) In addition, two C160 airplanes with 130 soldiers
of the Air Force have been operating in Dushanbe
(Tajikistan) since December 3, 2001, totaling 10,000 flight
hours. This detachment is focused on airlifting the French
Forces operating in different areas in Afghanistan.

58. (U) In October 2004, three Mirage F1CR and one tanker
C135FR were deployed in Dushanbe to carry out tactical
reconnaissance missions for ISAF and the coalition against
terrorism. To help promote the development of democracy in
Afghanistan in close collaboration with its allies, the
French Air Force again deployed an air detachment in
Dushanbe, from August through November 2005 during the
parliamentary elections. Within ISAF, the detachment,
which includes three Mirage F1CR, three Mirage 2000D and
two tankers C135FR based in Manas, was intended to
establish an air presence throughout the country and
support ground forces operations to deter any action likely
to disrupt the elections. It was also entrusted with the
mission to undertake reconnaissance and fire support
operations supporting OEF.

59. Finally, the French military participates in the fight
against terrorism within the OEF Task Force 150 (TF 150).
The Task Force is actively involved in the following
operations:
- monitoring air and sea movements in the Red Sea, the Sea
of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf,
- prohibiting the filtration of terrorists to the Arabian
Peninsula or the Horn of Africa,
- fighting against illegal trafficking (weapons, drugs
etc.),
- fighting against piracy and banditry acts.

60. (U) Since February 2003, a EUROMARFOR task group is
part of the TF 150 and operates under the command of the
U.S. staff. The French Navy greatly contributes to the TF
150 (about a quarter of the Task Force) with three ships
operating on a permanent basis. France took command of TF
150 twice from September 2003 to January 2004 and from June
to September 2004.
61. (U) An aircraft based in Djibouti, which was
incorporated into the Task Force 57 (TF 57),is intended to
patrol in coordination with the TF 150 ships. The 62
French ships involved in Operation Enduring Freedom since
15 December 2001 totaled more than 6,000 days at sea.

62. (U) The French Navy's strong participation in CTF-150,
both by continuously providing ships and often providing a
command staff in the Indian Ocean, particularly off of
Somalia and the Gulf of Oman, and the presence of French
Navy liaison personnel at NAVCENT Headquarters in Bahrain
makes possible a good degree of interaction and cooperation
in this key region. The French also maintain maritime
patrol aircraft worldwide and cooperate with the U.S. Navy
where there is common interest.

63. (U) The French also participate in the US Counter-Drug
effort with Naval Forces. A French military officer is
assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF
South) in Key West, to ensure coordination with French
forces in the Caribbean. Fort-de-France in Martinique
supports U.S. Navy and Coast Guard units with port visits
and the Navy Command in Fort-de-France has assisted the
U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard with the movement of
personnel and weapons between various ships and aircraft.
The direct participation of the French Navy in counter-drug
operations consists of the deployment of frigates to the
region to work with U.S. forces on a regular basis and the
use of Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to the region.

64. (U) In 2004, the French Navy stopped three drug
trafficking ships in the Antilles and one Togolese ship in
the Gulf of Guinea with 450 kg of cocaine. The counter
drug effort of the French Navy in 2004 was 199 days at sea,
156 hours of flight, 2058 ships queried, four ships
intercepted, and 1020 kg of drugs ceased.

65. (U) In 2004, the French Navy effort against
clandestine immigration equaled 683 days at sea, 904 flight
hours, three ships intercepted, 43 clandestine immigrants
turned over to border police.


--------------
Subparagraph B. Military Assistance:
NRF/NTMI/Afghanistan/NATO PKO.
-------------- --------------

66. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception. Since 2002, the French have trained more than
2,000 Afghans. This includes three of the initial
battalions; they have set-up the officer basic course and
the staff officer's course. The French are currently
participating in the Embedded Training Team concept with
French Army soldiers assigned to mentor an Afghan battalion
in Kandahar.

67. (U) The French have consistently expressed a desire to
be part of NATO's transformation and interoperability
initiatives as evidenced by their significant national
contributions to the NATO Response Force (NRF). By
participating in NRFs 1 through 6, the total French
military contribution equals up to 40 percent of ground
units, 30 percent of air assets, and 20 percent of naval
capabilities. The French air force provides the deployable
combined air operations center (CAOC) for the European led
NRF. In January 2005, the French air force conducted AIREX
2005, a training exercise, to prepare for command of NRF-05
in July. On July 1st, the French air force became the Joint
Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) of NRF-05 for six
months. In 2004, NATO sent the NRF's Land Component
Command Headquarters, the French led EUROCORPS, to lead the
ISAF in Afghanistan. As part of NRF 5, NATO activated
France's Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) to
coordinate the air movements for the Pakistan earthquake
relief effort. On 1 October 2005, the French formally
created a multinational headquarters to serve as the Land
Component Command for future rotations of the NRF.

68. (U) In 2005, the French also established a Maritime
Component Command HQ to serve in future iterations of
NATO's NRF. The French Navy successfully stood-up the
High-Readiness Force Maritime (HRF-M) staff in Toulon and
qualified the staff during an at-sea exercise in 2005.
This staff, will serve its rotational duties as an on-call
force, ahead of schedule, and is being used by the French
for out-of-area operations, for example, during the
upcoming Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean deployment of the Charles
de Gaulle Carrier Battle Group in early 2006. There is one
U.S. Naval Officer assigned to the HRF-M staff.

69. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.

70. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo. French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. 210
Gendarmes supported both the United Nations Interim mission
in Kosovo and the NATO Intervention Forces in Kosovo.
French Lieutenant General de Kermabon transferred authority
as COMKFOR on 1 September 2005 after one year of command,
the second time France has commanded KFOR. The French
government provided approximately 60 gendarmes, including
20 officers to help combat organized crime under the Office
of the High Representative in Bosnia-Hersegovina.
Additionally, they provided European Union Police and
military police in support of European Union Forces in
Bosnia.

71. (U) The French continue to maintain a small French
military presence (15 personnel) in Macedonia providing
international police in support of the European Police
Mission. They also provide a small presence force (three
military observers) in Georgia to help support the U.N.
monitoring mission.

72. (U) Regarding peacekeeping efforts in Africa, there
has been ongoing debate as to NATO's role in Africa. This
debate was most evident during the 2005 crisis in Darfur
with France focusing its support for the AU through the EU.
France, however, honored its pledge to SECSTATE that it
would not oppose a NATO role in the crisis. France has
provided 80 million euros to Darfur through the African
Union and provides support to Chad on a bilateral basis.
French troops and aircraft are conducting ground and air
border security. During 2005, France provided refueling
support to NATO and EU aircraft at Abech in Eastern Chad,
as well as personnel recovery capabilities using three C-
160 transport aircraft and three Puma helicopters. The
French transported the Senegalese units of the AU force to
Sudan and the Nigerian police contingent.

--------------
Subpara C: Humanitarian Relief Operations
NATOHMRO/Pakistan/Katrina/Tsunami
--------------

73. (U) In 2003, France allotted 9.3 million euros (USD
11.2 million) to what it termed Emergency Humanitarian
Assistance, all of which was channeled through the
Emergency Humanitarian Aid Fund of the MFA. In 2004, the
initial allotment was 9.3 million euros (USD 11.2 million).
The fund may be increased on an extraordinary basis to
finance unexpected operations; this was the case in 2005,
when France announced an emergency increased allotment of
2.8 million euros (USD 3.4 million) in favor of the victims
of natural disasters or civil crises, primarily focused on
the victims of the tsunami in Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Indonesia, and India, and an additional
allocation of 5.6 million euros (USD 6.7 million) for the
victims of the earthquake in Pakistan (see paragraphs
below). The additional aid is imputed into the 2005
balance sheet bringing the total amount of emergency
donations to 16,147,081 million euros. Allotments in 2006
are projected to increase to benefit victims of 2005's
Hurricane Katrina in the United States. For an economic
analysis of general Grant Aid and Humanitarian Assistance
see paragraphs 117-221.

74. (U) Pakistan Relief. The French contributed 82
military personnel to the Pakistan relief effort. In
addition, the French air force deployed two C-130 Hercules
military transport aircraft to deliver relief supplies. The
effort included medical service personnel, a surgical team,
and support personnel (communications, equipment, and
logistics) in Pakistan. Forty-six of the military
personnel were inserted into the various NATO elements in
Islamabad, Lisbon, Germany, and Turkey. Additionally, as
part of NRF 5, NATO activated France's JFACC to coordinate
the air movement piece of the relief effort. The JFACC at
Taverney, near Paris has 23 French, five UK, and one U.S.
officer assigned.

75. (U) KATRINA Relief. The NRF was activated in
September 2005 after hurricane Katrina. At the same time,
France used its Joint Forces Air Component (JFACC) to task
the French Air Force to collect and deliver the 150 tons of
European supplies for Louisiana. This support was
delivered to Ramstein airbase, Germany. The French air
force also provided two transport aircraft to move over
four tons of supplies, including tents, tarps, and 1000
rations, to the US from the Caribbean. Along with these
supplies, the French provided a team of four civil security
personnel to help assess future U.S. needs and distribute
assistance. Two French liaison officers were posted to the
Joint Forces Commander in Lisbon to help coordinate all
European assistance. An Airbus Beluga aircraft also
delivered 12.7 tons of emergency equipment to Mobile,
Alabama;

76. (U) The French Navy deployed a team of 17 Navy divers
to assist with the Katrina disaster. This was facilitated
by the fact that the French maintain a liaison officer with
the U.S. Mine Warfare Command in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 17 French divers worked from September 11, 2005 to
October 8, 2005 helping to clear waterways of debris and
recover vessels.

77. (U) The GOF also offered the following contributions
to assist with Katrina disaster recovery:
--The "Gendarmerie nationale" offered experts in forensic
police;
--The GOF (with Airbus) offered to send an additional 20-
30,000 food rations.

78. (U) Tsunami Relief. The French Navy worked with U.S.
forces and other willing partners following the December
26, 2004 Tsunami in South East Asia. In response to this
disaster, the French Navy re-routed its helicopter carrier,
Jeanne D'Arc, and, after picking up extra emergency
supplies from the French base in Djibouti, sent the units
into the disaster region. By February 1, there were 1,390
French Military personnel assisting in the disaster area,
most aboard the three ships involved. The French
Helicopter Carrier, Jeanne D'Arc, and the Destroyer George
Leygues DD-644 deployed to Indonesia on January 4 until
February 9 while the Destroyer Dupleix DD-641 deployed to
the Maldives from January 5 until February 1, 2005. The
Jeanne D'Arc supplemented the normal on-board complement of
helicopters with an additional two heavy-lift helicopters.
Embarked were 12 medical doctors and support personnel.

79. (U) There was one French Maritime Patrol Aircraft
deployed to Thailand from January 1, 2005 that worked in
cooperation with the U.S. Navy P-3 aircraft. One
additional French Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to Sri
Lanka from December 30, 2004 to January 1, 2005.

80. (U) In support of the tsunami relief in South-East
Asia, the French Gendarmerie provided several investigators
to assist in the identification of victims.

81. (U) Other humanitarian efforts. In 2004, during the
annual Jeanne D'Arc training cruise 9000 vaccinations were
given, 519 tons of humanitarian supplies were delivered.
During a deployment of the Dupleix, 180 tons of
humanitarian supplies were delivered.


-------------- --------------
Subparagraph D. Capacity Building: Strengthening
Governance in the World.
-------------- --------------

82. (U) The major part of France's efforts at capacity
building in the world is focused on Africa. France relies
on its forces stationed in seven nations to conduct most of
its capacity building operations. These include Cameroon,
Togo, the Central African Republic, the Gulf of Guinea,
Haiti, and Cote d'Ivoire. Additionally, France uses
forward presence forces; those stationed through bilateral
defense agreements, for capacity building operations.
Foreign presence forces are in Gabon, Djibouti, Senegal,
the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The table on
French Force Disposition and Exterior Operations presents
the detailed numbers of personnel in each location and the
additional expenditures of each operation. In total, these
capacity building measures cost France 650 million Euros in
2004 (approximately USD 790 million).

83. (U) The RECAMP (Reinforcing the Capabilities of
Africans to Maintain Peace) program remains France's
flagship strategy for defense and military cooperation in
Africa. The goal of RECAMP is to support an autonomous
African security capability. It is also a multinational
program to support the stability of Africa. RECAMP is
based on three pillars: cooperation, training, and support
of African operational engagements. To support operations,
France provides African forces with the materials and
equipment necessary to deploy from three French battalion-
size RECAMP depots. These depots are located in Dakar,
Libreville, and Djibouti. France has offered to make these
depots available for USG use. The French Military
Cooperation Directorate has a 100 million Euro annual
budget and manages a network of 220 French military
personnel located at African military schools and training
centers.

84. (U) In the last cycle for RECAMP IV in West Africa
(Benin) in 2004 -2005, there were 14 African and 16 non-
African participating states, including the United States.
France seeks the participation of all African states in
RECAMP and solicits participation bilaterally and through
the African Union and sub-regional organizations. France
also seeks multinational participation in the form of donor
states and an increasing role of the European Union (EU).
The program's present orientation focuses at the strategic-
level and seeks to prepare the African sub-regional
organizations and eventually the African Standby Forces
(ASF) for peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and
disaster relief operations.

85. (U) Additional Capacity Building Examples: During
2005 in Chad, more than 300 French air force aviators
conducted security and reconnaissance missions within the
framework of the humanitarian operation Darfur.

86. (U) French Gendarmerie has taken the lead in the
development of the European Gendarmerie Force. The initial
commander of the force in the development of the
headquarters is a French Gendarme General and the first
headquarters exercise was conducted in France. The
Gendarmerie has been consistently been asked to provide
general and specialized training to other Gendarme forces
or police forces throughout the world and particularly in
the middle east and Africa. In fact, one French military
police detachment is deployed in support of the United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
87. (U) In Haiti, 40 Gendarme personnel supported the
Multinational Stabilization Force (MINUSTAH) as part of
the 1,000-man contingent of French personnel.
88 (U) Over 150 Gendarme personnel provided international
police support for the United Nations Mission to Cote
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
PROG 02/02/06
DCM:KHOFMANN
POL:LORDEMAN
POLM/C:JROSENBLATT, POL:GRECINOS, DATT:MGUILLOT,
ECON:KMERTEN, ECON:OVANMAERSSEN

AMEMBASSY PARIS
SECSTATE WASHDC
AMEMBASSY PARIS
SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USNMR SHAPE BE
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA

STATE FOR PM/SNA, EUR/WE; OSD FOR OSD/PA&E, OASD/ISA/EUR,
OASD/ISA/NP, OASD/ISA/AP, OASD/ISA/NESA AND OASD/ISA/BTF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MCAP, FR
SUBJECT: EMBASSY PARIS SUBMISSION TO THE 2005/2006 REPORT
TO CONGRESS ON ALLIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON DEFENSE

REF: A. STATE 223383
B. PARIS 000005


This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for
Internet dissemination.

1. (U) Summary: This telegram constitutes Embassy Paris's
country submission for the 2005/2006 Report to Congress on
Allied Contributions to the Common Defense (requested Ref
A). We report on developments that took place during
calendar years 2004 and 2005 and offer cost sharing
information for U.S. fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Embassy's
contributions to the Report to Congress are keyed to
paragraphs in Ref A where specific information is
requested. End Summary.

--------------
--------------
Ref A Para 8: General Assessment
--------------
--------------

Overview
--------------
2. (U) France bears a significant share of the burden of
defending international security and stability. It is
firmly committed to conflict resolution, non- and
counterproliferation, as well as to maintaining adequate
conventional and nuclear capabilities. Only a few nations
have the military capability to project power to a distant
theater and sustain operations. France is one of these
nations. It has the military personnel, equipment, and
command capabilities as well as the will to employ them
throughout the world. It is this total operational
capability, and the resolve to act on the international
stage, which allows the French military to participate and
lead in an international framework, including through the
European Union and NATO. Africa comprises the heaviest
French military commitment abroad. However, France is also
a significant contributor to international military
operations in Central--Southwest Asia and the Balkans. By
helping to stabilize sensitive areas in Central Asia, the
Balkans, or in Sub-Saharan Africa, overseas operations led
by the French Armed Forces have helped to prevent those
areas from becoming safe-havens for terrorist activity.
Throughout 2004 and 2005, France has been a major
contributor in the fight against terrorism as part of the
international coalition in Afghanistan. As such, France
volunteered to participate under the command of the United
States in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Moreover,
security, stabilization and training operations led by the
French Armed Forces within the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) is helping Afghanistan in its
transition from a terrorist sanctuary to a growing
democracy.

3. (U) France maintains the largest active duty military
force in the European Union and the second largest active
duty military force in NATO, with an active force of
approximately 355,000. Furthermore, France sustains a
large percentage of this active duty force deployed in
operations in overseas French territories or in sovereign
territories around the world. The average number of
deployed forces outside of France was 35,000 in 2004, and
32,500 in 2005. Over 13,500 of those deployed are actively
engaged in international mandates supporting counter-
terrorist operations, humanitarian operations, peacekeeping
operations, stability operations, and capacity building.
To support this level of external international mandate
operations, France spends approximately USD 790 million per
year from a defense budget of 52 billion dollars.


France's Global Reach: Peace Support Operations Worldwide
-------------- --------------

4. (U) France eagerly participates in international peace
support operations and is a leading force contributor to
stabilization operations in the Balkans and in Africa. In
Cote d'Ivoire, France's most significant overseas
operation, French troops enforce a tenuous cease-fire and
are providing the backbone to the United Nations operation
as a quick reaction force. French troops have been
actively engaged since the summer of 2004 in preventing the
Darfur crisis from expanding into Chad. In the Balkans,
French troops are present in every military mission across
Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia: SFOR/EUFOR, KFOR, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, EUMM, and ALTHEA. During "Operation Secure
Tomorrow," to stabilize Haiti, France deployed the second
largest contingent alongside the United States.
Contributing troops under international mandate is a point
of principle in Paris. The UN, where France has a veto as
a permanent member of the Security Council, is its
preferred forum for crisis resolution. France has
observers currently participating in UN missions in the
Balkans, Georgia, Lebanon, Israel, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
Burundi, DROC, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Western Sahara, and
Haiti. It also participates in the multinational force in
the Sinai.


France and the War in Iraq
--------------

5. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.


France and the War on Terrorism
--------------

6. (U) France is currently the third-largest contributor
to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan, and one of the few nations other
than the U.S. to have had troops engaged in Operation
Enduring Freedom, ISAF and training programs for the Afghan
army since these efforts began. French Mirage-2000
fighters have flown with USAF fighters to assist American
and Afghan ground troops. French deployments to the Horn
of Africa remain focused on counterterrorism; the French
assisted in the establishment of USCJTF Horn of Africa, and
otherwise continue to allow the U.S. to share their base in
Djibouti in connection with operations in the Indian Ocean,
Red Sea and Persian Gulf. France is a part of Task Force
150, a multinational naval force that patrols the Red Sea
and the Persian Gulf to interdict the movement of suspected
terrorists from Afghanistan to the Arabian Peninsula.

7. (U) France participates in Operation Active Endeavor in
the Eastern Mediterranean. France is also actively
involved with the Proliferation Security Initiative. It is
also a party to all 12 existing international terrorism
conventions and is active in the UN and G8 counterterrorism
committees.

8. (U) In 2005, France continued to discover and dismantle
terror networks present on its soil, including several that
recruited jihadists to Iraq. Following the July 2005
bombings in London, French officials worked closely with
their British counterparts. They also identified a number
of deficiencies in their counterterrorism capabilities, and
proposed legislation to remedy these deficiencies. This
fast-tracked legislation became law in late January, 2006.
The French government is also expected to issue in February
2006 a "white book" on terrorism that will underscore their
belief that terrorism is a primary strategic threat to
France, and that dealing with it is consequentially a
central priority. France consults extensively with the
U.S. on terrorism, at the tactical and strategic level.


Africa
--------------

9. (U) The French military has shown an increasing
interest to cooperate with others, particularly with the
U.S., in Africa. In the past three years, there have been
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) executed in three
African countries, NEO planning for four other potential
crises, as well as U.S. and French multilateral programs,
such as GPOI - ACOTA, RECAMP, and joint financial and
logistical support for ECOWAS, ECCAS, and the African
Union. In the Gulf of Guinea and Trans-Sahel region,
France has expressed interest in the U.S. effort to improve
the posture of African countries in the fight against
terrorism. Both the U.S. and France continue to broadly
support capacity building for African militaries. (See
paragraphs 12, 32 40, 42-43, 46, 59, 72, 82-86, 89 and 94
for more on French involvement in Africa.)


France, NATO and ESDP
--------------

10. (SBU) Despite its singular stance on alliance
membership (France is not a member of NATO's integrated
military command),France has continued to demonstrate
willingness to engage in NATO responses to common
challenges. France has been a major contributor to
operations in the Balkans (SFOR, now EUFOR, and KFOR) and
in NATO's operations in Afghanistan (International Security
Assistance Force). In KFOR in Kosovo, French troops are the
second-largest national contingent, significantly
outnumbering U.S. units. In Afghanistan, France has some
900 troops, which will increase to approximately 1400 in
August 2006, when France assumes command of the Kabul
region of ISAF. During December 2004-August 2005, France
held the rotating command of ISAF. France also contributed
to NATO Humanitarian Relief Operations in Bagh, Pakistan.

11. (SBU) The French have consistently expressed their
support for NATO's transformation, and are contributing
substantial resources to the NATO Response Force: the
French military has identified forces that at initial
stages will amount to 40 per cent of ground units, 30 per
cent of air assets, and 20 per cent of naval capabilities,
and has proposed contributing EUROCORPS to the NRF at a
later stage. France has restructured some of its own
forces with land, air and sea High Readiness Response force
fully compatible with the NATO Response Force. It has
offered headquarter slots in Lille for fellow NATO members.

12. (SBU) Interest in being part of NATO transformation
has not diminished the deep commitment of the GoF to
fostering European security and defense arrangements. Many
in the GoF envision that transatlantic security relations
of the future will increasingly include bilateral U.S.-EU
cooperation. Throughout 2004 and 2005, the French
vigorously pursued their goal of establishing independent
European defense structures and supporting increased EU
missions. France supported an EU assistance mission to
Darfur in the Sudan, to support the African Union's
intervention. France continues to push its EU partners for
completion of a separate EU planning headquarters, a small
but independent EU operational planning unit, as well as an
EU cell at SHAPE. EU operations may also continue to be
planned at national headquarters. Additionally, France has
been a key player in setting up and funding the European
Defense procurement agency (EDA),designed to coordinate
defense procurement among EU allies, and which became
operational in 2005 with a small staff numbering some 80
persons and a budget of 20 million euros.

13. (U) In January 2006, the European gendarmerie force
was formally inaugurated in Vicenza, Italy. The concept
dates back to October 2003, when French Defense Minister
Michele Alliot-Marie proposed the creation of the European
gendarmerie consisting of some 800 gendarmes from Spain,
Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands to take on police
training and other police functions as part of the EU's
response to crises.


French Training and Participation in Joint Exercises
-------------- --------------

14. (U) In the European AOR, in cooperation with the US
Commander Naval Forces Europe, the French Navy participated
in 3 Non-NATO exercises and 6 NATO exercises in 2004
including a Proliferation Security Initiative exercise, a
NATO anti-submarine exercise, a Multi-lateral Livex, PFP
exercise BALTOPS 04, and a NATO Joint fleet training
exercise (a major NRF event sponsored by NATO).

15. (U) In 2005, France participated in 6 Non-NATO
exercises and 13 NATO exercises. The French Navy
participated in RECAMP IV, JMC 05-1 and 05-2, a
multilateral FTX helping qualify the Italian maritime High
Readiness Force (HRF),two multilateral anti-submarine
exercises, Trident D'Or (the exercise to qualify the French
maritime HRF, a LIVEX Mine Warfare Exercise in the North
Sea, FRUKUS (CPX/FTX with French, Russian, U.S., and U.K.
navy participation, Sorbet Royale (a LIVEX Submarine Rescue
Exercise),Bright Star (a multi-national, multi-warfare
LIVEX executing in Egypt),Loyal Midas (a multilateral FTX
to qualify a stand-by Maritime Component Commander for a
future NRF rotation.

16. (U) Overall objectives for Navy training in 2005 were:
100 days at sea per ship, 13 exercises, four of which were
Amphibious exercises, three of which were mine warfare
exercises, two deployments of the Charles de Gaulle CVBG,
participation in one major NATO exercise, participation in
one major EU exercise and five Joint exercises.

17. (U) The French air force continues to seek
opportunities to exercise and train with the US. During
2005, the French air force participated in Exercise Bright
Star in Egypt, and Exercise Air Warrior in the US. France
also continues to offer the US opportunities to use their
training ranges and training airspace associated with
Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.


French Support for Space Launch Activities
--------------

18. (U) France supported multiple space launch activities
from their facilities in the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and
the south of France. The French government approved a US
request to use the islands of Reunion and Nuka Hiva for
telemetry tracking missions supporting NASA space launches.
Additionally, the French support US space shuttle launches
with access to the French Air Base in Istres France as an
alternate shuttle landing site.


Defense Trade and Industrial Cooperation
--------------

19. (U) Source priorities in order of importance for
French defense acquisition remain France, EU, and all
others (to include the U.S.). National pride and limited
budgets govern this order. The French defense industry
continues to provide the greatest depth and breadth of any
western European country. While its technology is
sometimes peer-level with the U.S., it is actually superior
in specific niche areas (e.g., thermal imaging and optics).
The single most limiting factor is defense spending.

20. (U) In the past year, the French Ministry of Defense
continued its pursuit of revitalization of forces. Despite
competing government interests, the budget of the Defense
Ministry remained untouched (the Interior was the only
other ministry spared from budget cuts). Highlights for
2005-2006 spending include: a second aircraft carrier;
introduction of the Rafale fighter aircraft; the European
Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM); Network-Centric command and
control systems; Tigre and NH-90 helicopters; transport
aircraft; third and fourth strategic missile submarines;
and cruise missile development. Only minor increases in
research and development, as compared to previous years,
were approved.

21. (U) Foreign Military Sales from the US increased from
FY03 to FY04 (USD 45.6M to USD 66.9M),while direct
commercial sales decreased (USD 18.9M to USD 12.7M.)
Pending US sales include the Aircraft Launch and Recovery
Equipment (ALRE) for the second French aircraft carrier,
and a cruise missile simulator. FMS training funds were
expended as in previous years, with the majority centered
on carrier aviation training and support.

22. (U) Service-specific Data Exchange Agreements (DEAs)
remained essentially stable, yet significantly,
renegotiation of four Navy DEAs was concluded, extending
their expiration dates to 2010. Discussions continue
regarding remaining DEAs and four newly proposed
agreements. Foreign Comparative Testing programs continue
to show interest in French technologies, with recent focus
on underwater GPS, perimeter defense, shipboard self-
defense, and bomb casing design. Benchmarking studies have
been conducted on ship design and manpower reduction.

23. (U) U.S. defense acquisition and sales interests in
France are significant and include (by service): for the
Air Force, C-130J, KC-130J, C-17 sales and French AWACS
upgrade; for the Army and USMC, Sophie, 120mm rifled
mortars, Active Protection System armor for ground
vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles; for the Navy, ALRE
sale, unmanned submerged/underwater vehicles, and maritime
domain awareness, and network-centric enabled operations.
All services are focused on any technology that can assist
in the efforts of the IED Task Force.

24. (U) Privatization of the defense sector has continued,
albeit at a slow pace. Although the GoF still maintains
so-called "golden shares" in several firms, globalization
has eroded their total control in this arena. For example,
the recently privatized shipbuilding firm DCN has again
partnered with Thales in planning the second French
aircraft carrier, and was recently awarded a contract by
the French Navy for total lifetime maintenance support for
their fleet warships and major combat systems.

25. (U) The anticipated absorption of OCCAR (the
Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation) into the
European Defense Agency has stalled, although OCCAR did
play a role in guiding the French and Italian defense
ministries to select the General Electric engines for the
European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) in late 2005.
26. (U) The EU's European Capabilities Action Plan (ECAP)
goal is to coordinate financing processes and to get
European defense industry involved in identifying and
filling gaps. There is also a recent effort to engage
university research labs through funding made available
from private industries. Further privatization and
increased competitiveness of the French defense sector
should support these trends.

27. (U) Tangential but significant issues to defense
cooperation include continued pursuit of a Declaration of
Principles (DoP) on armaments and end-use controls required
by the U.S. on jointly produced systems, which prevent
French sales to third parties without USG approval (viewed
with concern by French government and private industry
alike though France requires similar guarantees from their
customers for French products). On the other hand, U.S.
Presidential intervention in rejecting the so-called "buy
American" provisions in the recent U.S. defense bill was
well received.

28. (U) Recent overtures on the part of both the U.S. and
French governments have led to an increase in official
bilateral defense discussions and activity. The impending
change of government in 2007 will have a significant impact
on whether or not this trend continues. While France's
2005 vote against the EU referendum was seen as a setback
to both the French government and to the EU's future, its
full effect remains to be seen. As noted above, there are
signs of consolidation of efforts among EU institutions,
specifically in the defense arena. Economic realities and
collective resolve should eventually determine whether
these trends continue.


The Future of French Defense Spending
--------------

29. (U) Future French Defense budgets must conform to a
new inter-governmental finance law known by the acronym
LOLF (Organic Law of the Finance Law). In this new
framework, the funding made available to the Ministry of
Defense abandons the traditional budget distributions by
'Titles' and instead is presented as 'missions and
programs'. The most significant of these is the mission to
'Put into action the National Defense Policy'. Two of its
supporting programs are 'Prepare the Force' and 'Equip the
Force'. In all, the Defense Ministry budget will be
organized around four missions and nine supporting
programs. In an effort to improve the coherence of the
defense budget, the LOLF ties budgetary allocations to
performance. Also, for the first budget cycle under this
new system, the Chiefs of Staff of the services have less
influence on service budgets. Their role is now to assure
the coherence of the budget rather than the direction of
it. In a May 21, 2005 Presidential decree, the Chiefs of
the Armed Services are now subordinate to the Chief of
Defense (CHOD). The CHOD now controls all budgets and
procurement financing. Service budgets now must pass
through the CHOD before they go to the Minister's office
for approval. (For more information on defense spending and
the LOLF see paragraphs 111-113.)

30. (U) The 2006 defense budget represents a 2.2% increase
over the 2005 fiscal year. In spite of the Defense
Minister's ability to protect the defense budget from cuts,
there continue to be difficulties for the French military
in the future. These difficulties stem primarily from
three areas: first, the inflationary pressures of the
price of energy; second, cost overruns/delays in
procurement; and third, increased maintenance costs. Most
of the planning for the current five-year budget requests
was predicated on the cost of a barrel of oil at half the
current price. This increase will translate into fewer
flying hours, fewer training days, and fewer days at sea in
the next few years. Procurement of several current
military systems is behind the original schedule or
experiencing technical problems. These delays include the
Tigre helicopter, Rafale fighter aircraft, A-400M transport
aircraft, and the new command ship (BPC). The final
expense increase will be the result of maintaining the
older systems in the French military until sufficient
numbers can replace them.


Transforming Military Capabilities
--------------

31. (U) In spite of not being part of the integrated
military command structure of NATO, in January, 2004 France
received two general officer billets within the command:
one at Atlantic Command Operations (SHAPE) and one at
Atlantic Command Transformation (Norfolk). The French have
assigned 110 military personnel to the two headquarters,
representing 2.04% of overall NATO staff posts. The French
have also agreed to increase their contribution to Alliance
military budgets from 4.9% to 7.4%. Nonetheless, despite
disclaimers to the contrary, the French have given mixed
signals over the past two years on their vision of the
future NATO. These views have ranged from a desire for
closer integration with NATO to generally limiting the
scope of NATO's operations or in favor of an EU defense
force.

32. (U) France has been a leading proponent to advance a
"battle-group" concept to create rotational 1500-man size
forces for use in Chapter VII mandates by the European
Union. Based on the EU Operation ARTEMIS model (the French
led deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in
2003) the force would be capable of responding to a crisis
within 15 days and be sustainable for 30 days minimum, 120
days maximum. Full operational capability is scheduled for
2007. The French insist that these battle groups would be
compatible with NATO NRF rotations, with either taking the
lead on the basis of a mutually-agreed decision. Africa
has been mentioned as a primary venue for the battle-
groups.

33. (U) The French Army is investing in UAVs, the Improved
Infantry Armored Vehicle (VBCI),advanced communications
equipment, counter-fire radars, and lighter equipment for
armored units. They are beginning the process of
digitization of the Army's battlefield systems and
purchasing an individual soldier system - the Felin, the
French Army's equivalent to the U.S. Army's Land Warrior
system. These initiatives will enhance French abilities to
interoperate with US forces and systems.

34. (U) The French Navy has stood up and qualified the HRF
(M) headquarters staff, the naval component headquarters of
France's NRF, in Toulon in 2004 and 2005. This force will
deploy to the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean in 2006.
Additionally, the Admiral, Naval Action Force (ALFAN) in
Toulon has continued to develop over 2004 and 2005. This
command is now roughly equivalent to the U.S. Fleet Forces
Command and has responsibilities for training, certifying,
and equipping French naval forces. In an effort to improve
intelligence support to the French Navy, the French stood
up a French intelligence command called Centre de
Renseignment Martime (CRMar).

35. (U) In the context of trying to become more efficient
and capable of joint and international operations, the
French Air Force is in the process of a major
reorganization. In November 2003, a project team of senior
staff officers, outgoing base commanders and civilian
consultants was created and given the mission to develop a
plan to create a better Air Force. The project team started
its work in September 2004 and unveiled the plan in October
2005. The ideas will be progressively implemented
beginning in 2006. This ambitious reorganization project,
named Air 2010, aims in particular at removing duplication
and creating synergy. It will serve to optimize the air
base network while preserving existing capabilities. In
summary, the Air Force will replace the twelve current
commands with four large functional 'poles.' The
Operations Pole will be in charge of current operations in
France and abroad. The Forces pole will be charged with
leading the preparation and training of the whole of the
combat forces. The Support Pole will bring together within
the same staff all the maintenance, logistics, and life
support. The Personnel Pole will join together all the
personnel training and staff management functions.

36. (U) The French military is actively exploring ways to
increase interoperability with the U.S. with respect to the
global information grid and uses of information on the
modern battlefield. As of late 2005, the French MOD has
directed increased contact between French military
officials and U.S. military officials in an effort to
ensure the French capability to interoperate with the U.S.
is maintained and improved. This French initiative is
aimed at keeping up with the U.S. lead in information
technology, particularly targeting data and friendly force
tracking. The French desperately want to preserve the
ability to conduct combat operations with the U.S. in every
domain air, land, and sea.


Recent Contingency Operations, Military Assistance,
Humanitarian Relief Operations, Peacekeeping, Capacity
Building, Counterproliferation and Nuclear Threat
Reduction.
-------------- --------------

37. (U) The French continue to show their support for
operations in Afghanistan. In 2006, they are planning to
augment their forces to support the increased
responsibilities of the Kabul regional command in addition
to the military assets already in place in support of ISAF
and OEF (see paragraphs 53-56 for more detail).
Furthermore, the French continue to be actively involved in
the fight against terrorism through the OEF Task Force 150
and in the US Counter-Drug effort (see paragraphs 59-60 for
more detail.)

38. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception and the French have consistently expressed a
desire to be part of NATO's transformation and
interoperability initiatives as evidenced by their
significant national contributions to the NATO Response
Force (NRF) (see paragraphs 66-67 for more detail).

39. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo and French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. The French
continue to maintain a small French military presence in
Macedonia. They also provide a small presence force in
Georgia. (See paragraphs 70-71 for more detail).

40. (U) In Africa, France has provided 80 million euros to
Darfur through the African Union and provides support to
Chad on a bilateral basis. The French transported the
Senegalese units of the AU force to Sudan and the Nigerian
police contingent. (See paragraph 72 for more detail).

41. (U) In response to natural disasters in 2004 and 2005
France contributed substantially to Pakistan Earthquake
relief efforts, the South Asian Tsunami relief efforts, and
relief efforts after hurricane Katrina hit the southern
United States. (See paragraphs 73-81 for more detail).

42. (U) The major part of France's efforts at capacity
building in the world is focused on Africa where France
relies on its forces stationed in seven nations to conduct
most of its capacity building operations (see paragraphs
82-85 for more detail). Also, 4000 French troops stand
alongside UNOCI in Operation Licorne in Cote d'Ivoire in
support of the UN operation, in addition to the French
permanent base in Abidjan.

43. (U) French Gendarmerie has taken the lead in the
development of the European Gendarmerie Force. French
Gendarmes are also deployed in Lebanon (UNIFIL),Haiti
(MINUSTAH),Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI),the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Chad, and the Central Africa Republic. They
also conducted training in Kinshasa, Kenya (see paragraphs
86-89 for more detail).

44. (U) In the summer of 2004, the French also began a
joint fighter pilot training school in Cazeaux, France (see
paragraph 90 for more detail).

45. (U) As a nuclear state, France endorses deterrence
theory and holds to long-standing NATO doctrines. It has
consistently supported international arms control regimes
as a means of bolstering stability and transparency. In
addition to its continued support for international
mechanisms to limit proliferation, France with their
British and German colleagues pursued EU3 negotiations to
obtain Iranian compliance with Iran's Safeguard Agreement
commitments. EU3 efforts led to the signing of the Paris
Agreement in November 2004. Iranian resumption of
conversion in August 2005, and research on enrichment in
December 2005, led to suspension of Paris Agreement
discussions. France and its EU partners, with U.S.
support, continue to pursue efforts to convince Iran to
suspend its nuclear ambitions. (See paragraphs 91-93 for
more detail).

46. (U) The French military continues to maintain strong
contacts with the U.S. and other NATO countries for
contingency planning. During 2004 and 2005, France
conducted planning and exchanges with EUCOM and CENTCOM.
French and U.S. analysts and planners share information on
terrorism and WMD proliferation as well as political-
military developments. From the beginning of operations in
Afghanistan (both OEF and ISAF),and the Lebanon crisis,
French and U.S. planners have continued to work together to
produce effective, timely results. French forces
permanently or temporarily stationed in Africa and Central
Asia have assisted U.S. operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM
theater of operations.


--------------
--------------
REF A PARAS 9-10: DIRECT COST-SHARING
--------------
--------------

47. (U) No direct cost sharing activities occur in France



--------------
--------------
REF A PARA 11: INDIRECT COST SHARING
--------------
--------------

48. (U) No indirect cost-sharing activities as described
in Ref A paragraph 11 occur in France. However the U.S.
did receive several types of miscellaneous indirect cost-
sharing benefits from France as described below.


Overflight Clearances, Port Access, Use of French
Facilities
-------------- --------------

49. (U) In 2004, France granted overflight and landing
clearances to 1842 USG missions. 977 of these missions
were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 76 of these
missions supported operations in the Balkans. During 2005,
France granted 2061 overflight and landing clearances to
USG missions. 811 of these missions supported OIF while 68
supported Balkan operations. France continued to grant
blanket overflight clearances to most USG missions allowing
over flights of and landings in France without notice.

50. (U) The 744 Expeditionary Air Base Group operated
three KC-135 tanker aircraft from Istres Airbase in
southern France during most of 2004. This group of 100 US
military personnel flew air refueling missions supporting
operations in the Balkans. The French provided fuel tax-
free. The mission ended in December 2004.

51. (U) Tax concessions on fuel and landing fees for non-
operational missions during 2004 totaled approximately 4000
dollars. During 2005 these concessions totaled 8450
dollars.

52. (U) During 2004 the US Navy made 14 port calls to
facilities in metropolitan France. In 2005 the number of
port calls was 29. In all cases, the French Navy provided
excellent support and force protection services without
cost. Additionally, no taxes were imposed for supplies or
parts for US ships visiting French ports.


-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
REF A PARA 12 RECENT CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS, MILITARY
ASSISTANCE, HUMANITARIAN RELIEF OPERATIONS, CAPACITY
BUILDING, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND NUCLEAR THREAT
REDUCTION
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------

-------------- --------------
Subparagraph A: Recent Contingency operations (See French
Force Disposition and External Operations Table for
personnel numbers)
-------------- --------------

53. (U) The French were among the first nations to
volunteer troops to the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and France continues to
be responsible for Kabul International Airport and the area
north of Kabul to the U.S. base at Bagram. A French
battalion has been a part of ISAF since December 2001.
From August 2004 to February 2005, a French general
commanded the NATO-led ISAF. France has proposed an
increased role in ISAF and offered to lead Regional
CommandKabul as part of the NATO reorganization and
expansion of ISAF. In October 2005, France and Turkey
announced that they would co-lead Regional Command-Kabul.
The French are planning to augment their forces from the
current 700 in ISAF to between 1,000 1,200 personnel to
support the increased responsibilities of the regional
command to include providing a Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
battalion. The French have continued to provide a military
police detachment in support of ISAF.

54. (U) Supporting OEF, the French Armed Forces continue
to be actively involved in the fight against terrorism.
200 members of the French Special Forces are currently
deployed in the South of Afghanistan alongside U.S. Special
Forces in military operations against the Taliban.

55. (U) France assigned liaison officers to the U.S. staff
headquarters in Tampa to ensure the interface between the
military authorities of the two countries. French forces
were directly involved in the fight against terrorism by
y
carrying out the following missions:

56. (U) The air and sea group took part in air operations
above Afghanistan in April-May 2004 (84 aircrafts were
involved in operational missions for 450 flight hours).
The French Air Force deployed within less than 48 hours six
Mirage 2000D and two refueling aircraft from metropolitan
France to the deployable airbase in Manas (Kyrgyzstan)
which played a key role in the prosecution of air
campaigns.

57. (U) In addition, two C160 airplanes with 130 soldiers
of the Air Force have been operating in Dushanbe
(Tajikistan) since December 3, 2001, totaling 10,000 flight
hours. This detachment is focused on airlifting the French
Forces operating in different areas in Afghanistan.

58. (U) In October 2004, three Mirage F1CR and one tanker
C135FR were deployed in Dushanbe to carry out tactical
reconnaissance missions for ISAF and the coalition against
terrorism. To help promote the development of democracy in
Afghanistan in close collaboration with its allies, the
French Air Force again deployed an air detachment in
Dushanbe, from August through November 2005 during the
parliamentary elections. Within ISAF, the detachment,
which includes three Mirage F1CR, three Mirage 2000D and
two tankers C135FR based in Manas, was intended to
establish an air presence throughout the country and
support ground forces operations to deter any action likely
to disrupt the elections. It was also entrusted with the
mission to undertake reconnaissance and fire support
operations supporting OEF.

59. Finally, the French military participates in the fight
against terrorism within the OEF Task Force 150 (TF 150).
The Task Force is actively involved in the following
operations:
- monitoring air and sea movements in the Red Sea, the Sea
of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf,
- prohibiting the filtration of terrorists to the Arabian
Peninsula or the Horn of Africa,
- fighting against illegal trafficking (weapons, drugs
etc.),
- fighting against piracy and banditry acts.

60. (U) Since February 2003, a EUROMARFOR task group is
part of the TF 150 and operates under the command of the
U.S. staff. The French Navy greatly contributes to the TF
150 (about a quarter of the Task Force) with three ships
operating on a permanent basis. France took command of TF
150 twice from September 2003 to January 2004 and from June
to September 2004.

61. (U) An aircraft based in Djibouti, which was
incorporated into the Task Force 57 (TF 57),is intended to
patrol in coordination with the TF 150 ships. The 62
French ships involved in Operation Enduring Freedom since
15 December 2001 totaled more than 6,000 days at sea.

62. (U) The French Navy's strong participation in CTF-150,
both by continuously providing ships and often providing a
command staff in the Indian Ocean, particularly off of
Somalia and the Gulf of Oman, and the presence of French
Navy liaison personnel at NAVCENT Headquarters in Bahrain
makes possible a good degree of interaction and cooperation
in this key region. The French also maintain maritime
patrol aircraft worldwide and cooperate with the U.S. Navy
where there is common interest.

63. (U) The French also participate in the US Counter-Drug
effort with Naval Forces. A French military officer is
assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF
South) in Key West, to ensure coordination with French
forces in the Caribbean. Fort-de-France in Martinique
supports U.S. Navy and Coast Guard units with port visits
and the Navy Command in Fort-de-France has assisted the
U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard with the movement of
personnel and weapons between various ships and aircraft.
The direct participation of the French Navy in counter-drug
operations consists of the deployment of frigates to the
region to work with U.S. forces on a regular basis and the
use of Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to the region.

64. (U) In 2004, the French Navy stopped three drug
trafficking ships in the Antilles and one Togolese ship in
the Gulf of Guinea with 450 kg of cocaine. The counter
drug effort of the French Navy in 2004 was 199 days at sea,
156 hours of flight, 2058 ships queried, four ships
intercepted, and 1020 kg of drugs ceased.

65. (U) In 2004, the French Navy effort against
clandestine immigration equaled 683 days at sea, 904 flight
hours, three ships intercepted, 43 clandestine immigrants
turned over to border police.


--------------
Subparagraph B. Military Assistance:
NRF/NTMI/Afghanistan/NATO PKO.
-------------- --------------

66. (U) The French Army has been training the Afghan
National Army within the overall U.S.-led program since its
inception. Since 2002, the French have trained more than
2,000 Afghans. This includes three of the initial
battalions; they have set-up the officer basic course and
the staff officer's course. The French are currently
participating in the Embedded Training Team concept with
French Army soldiers assigned to mentor an Afghan battalion
in Kandahar.

67. (U) The French have consistently expressed a desire to
be part of NATO's transformation and interoperability
initiatives as evidenced by their significant national
contributions to the NATO Response Force (NRF). By
participating in NRFs 1 through 6, the total French
military contribution equals up to 40 percent of ground
units, 30 percent of air assets, and 20 percent of naval
capabilities. The French air force provides the deployable
combined air operations center (CAOC) for the European led
NRF. In January 2005, the French air force conducted AIREX
2005, a training exercise, to prepare for command of NRF-05
in July. On July 1st, the French air force became the Joint
Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) of NRF-05 for six
months. In 2004, NATO sent the NRF's Land Component
Command Headquarters, the French led EUROCORPS, to lead the
ISAF in Afghanistan. As part of NRF 5, NATO activated
France's Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) to
coordinate the air movements for the Pakistan earthquake
relief effort. On 1 October 2005, the French formally
created a multinational headquarters to serve as the Land
Component Command for future rotations of the NRF.

68. (U) In 2005, the French also established a Maritime
Component Command HQ to serve in future iterations of
NATO's NRF. The French Navy successfully stood-up the
High-Readiness Force Maritime (HRF-M) staff in Toulon and
qualified the staff during an at-sea exercise in 2005.
This staff, will serve its rotational duties as an on-call
force, ahead of schedule, and is being used by the French
for out-of-area operations, for example, during the
upcoming Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean deployment of the Charles
de Gaulle Carrier Battle Group in early 2006. There is one
U.S. Naval Officer assigned to the HRF-M staff.

69. (U) The French government has forbidden its military
from contributing troops to the NATO training mission
inside Iraq (NTM-1). One French officer is working on the
training mission staff at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium,
and the GoF pledged 660,000 euros in February 2005 to help
finance NTM-1. In 2005, the GoF took initial steps to
contribute to the development of Iraqi defense and security
capabilities. Under the European Union's EUJUSTLEX
program, France has pledged to train 200 Iraqi police
officials and judges in rule of law training in France,
making France the top EU contributor to this program.
Approximately 40 Iraqi police officials (non-military)
completed month-long training at the Ecole Nationale
Superieure des Officiers de Police and the Ecole Nationale
de Police in 2005. A third course started at the end of
2005 for judicial instruction at the Ecole Nationale de la
Magistrature. At the same time, a French offer to train up
to 1,500 Iraqi paramilitary police (gendarmes) outside Iraq
remains unimplemented, although an Iraqi Ministry of
Interior delegation visited France in July 2005 to further
discuss the proposal. Currently there is a single Gendarme
Officer in Iraq, responsible for provision of security for
French embassy staff in Baghdad.

70. (U) In the Balkans, French forces remain among the
largest contributors to operations in Kosovo. French
participation in the former NATO SFOR mission in Bosnia
continued under the EU Force, Operation Althea. 210
Gendarmes supported both the United Nations Interim mission
in Kosovo and the NATO Intervention Forces in Kosovo.
French Lieutenant General de Kermabon transferred authority
as COMKFOR on 1 September 2005 after one year of command,
the second time France has commanded KFOR. The French
government provided approximately 60 gendarmes, including
20 officers to help combat organized crime under the Office
of the High Representative in Bosnia-Hersegovina.
Additionally, they provided European Union Police and
military police in support of European Union Forces in
Bosnia.

71. (U) The French continue to maintain a small French
military presence (15 personnel) in Macedonia providing
international police in support of the European Police
Mission. They also provide a small presence force (three
military observers) in Georgia to help support the U.N.
monitoring mission.

72. (U) Regarding peacekeeping efforts in Africa, there
has been ongoing debate as to NATO's role in Africa. This
debate was most evident during the 2005 crisis in Darfur
with France focusing its support for the AU through the EU.
France, however, honored its pledge to SECSTATE that it
would not oppose a NATO role in the crisis. France has
provided 80 million euros to Darfur through the African
Union and provides support to Chad on a bilateral basis.
French troops and aircraft are conducting ground and air
border security. During 2005, France provided refueling
support to NATO and EU aircraft at Abech in Eastern Chad,
as well as personnel recovery capabilities using three C-
160 transport aircraft and three Puma helicopters. The
French transported the Senegalese units of the AU force to
Sudan and the Nigerian police contingent.

--------------
Subpara C: Humanitarian Relief Operations
NATOHMRO/Pakistan/Katrina/Tsunami
--------------

73. (U) In 2003, France allotted 9.3 million euros (USD
11.2 million) to what it termed Emergency Humanitarian
Assistance, all of which was channeled through the
Emergency Humanitarian Aid Fund of the MFA. In 2004, the
initial allotment was 9.3 million euros (USD 11.2 million).
The fund may be increased on an extraordinary basis to
finance unexpected operations; this was the case in 2005,
when France announced an emergency increased allotment of
2.8 million euros (USD 3.4 million) in favor of the victims
of natural disasters or civil crises, primarily focused on
the victims of the tsunami in Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Indonesia, and India, and an additional
allocation of 5.6 million euros (USD 6.7 million) for the
victims of the earthquake in Pakistan (see paragraphs
below). The additional aid is imputed into the 2005
balance sheet bringing the total amount of emergency
donations to 16,147,081 million euros. Allotments in 2006
are projected to increase to benefit victims of 2005's
Hurricane Katrina in the United States. For an economic
analysis of general Grant Aid and Humanitarian Assistance
see paragraphs 117-221.

74. (U) Pakistan Relief. The French contributed 82
military personnel to the Pakistan relief effort. In
addition, the French air force deployed two C-130 Hercules
military transport aircraft to deliver relief supplies. The
effort included medical service personnel, a surgical team,
and support personnel (communications, equipment, and
logistics) in Pakistan. Forty-six of the military
personnel were inserted into the various NATO elements in
Islamabad, Lisbon, Germany, and Turkey. Additionally, as
part of NRF 5, NATO activated France's JFACC to coordinate
the air movement piece of the relief effort. The JFACC at
Taverney, near Paris has 23 French, five UK, and one U.S.
officer assigned.

75. (U) KATRINA Relief. The NRF was activated in
September 2005 after hurricane Katrina. At the same time,
France used its Joint Forces Air Component (JFACC) to task
the French Air Force to collect and deliver the 150 tons of
European supplies for Louisiana. This support was
delivered to Ramstein airbase, Germany. The French air
force also provided two transport aircraft to move over
four tons of supplies, including tents, tarps, and 1000
rations, to the US from the Caribbean. Along with these
supplies, the French provided a team of four civil security
personnel to help assess future U.S. needs and distribute
assistance. Two French liaison officers were posted to the
Joint Forces Commander in Lisbon to help coordinate all
European assistance. An Airbus Beluga aircraft also
delivered 12.7 tons of emergency equipment to Mobile,
Alabama;

76. (U) The French Navy deployed a team of 17 Navy divers
to assist with the Katrina disaster. This was facilitated
by the fact that the French maintain a liaison officer with
the U.S. Mine Warfare Command in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 17 French divers worked from September 11, 2005 to
October 8, 2005 helping to clear waterways of debris and
recover vessels.

77. (U) The GOF also offered the following contributions
to assist with Katrina disaster recovery:
--The "Gendarmerie nationale" offered experts in forensic
police;
--The GOF (with Airbus) offered to send an additional 20-
30,000 food rations.

78. (U) Tsunami Relief. The French Navy worked with U.S.
forces and other willing partners following the December
26, 2004 Tsunami in South East Asia. In response to this
disaster, the French Navy re-routed its helicopter carrier,
Jeanne D'Arc, and, after picking up extra emergency
supplies from the French base in Djibouti, sent the units