Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS7873
2006-12-20 15:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
UPDATE ON DEPLOYMENT OF FRENCH UAVS TO LEBANON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #7873 3541526 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201526Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3900 INFO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0467 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0586 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1067 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007873
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL LE FR
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DEPLOYMENT OF FRENCH UAVS TO LEBANON
REF: A) PARIS 7838 B) PARIS USDAO IIR 6 832 0159 07
(NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt,
Reason 1.4 B/D
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007873
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL LE FR
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DEPLOYMENT OF FRENCH UAVS TO LEBANON
REF: A) PARIS 7838 B) PARIS USDAO IIR 6 832 0159 07
(NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt,
Reason 1.4 B/D
1. (C) On December 20, we met with Alexandra Novosseloff,
desk officer in the MOD's Crisis Management bureau, to
clarify the status of France's deployment of reconnaissance
drones (SDTI) to Lebanon (reftels). She noted that, contrary
to press reports, the drones have not yet been deployed in
Lebanon. The political decision to deploy has not yet been
made, pending DPKO approval of the deployment. The drones
would be for the use of the UNIFIL commander, and not only
French forces in UNIFIL, she added. (Note: without providing
a clear indication, Novosseloff hinted the Elysee would have
the final say.)
2. (C) In response to our request for further details (see
ref A),Novosseloff said the drones were not part of the
"security package" under consideration by the GOF for
Lebanon. She indicated that the "security package" under
consideration aims to provide a range of measures to help the
Lebanese government deal with security issues outside
UNIFIL's area of operation, such as the monitoring of
Lebanon's border with Syria. She noted that the "security
package" is essentially a bilateral effort, although others,
such as the U.S. would be welcome to participate. When
pressed, she admitted she had no information on the status of
the "security package."
3. (C) Novosseloff observed that the drones would be used for
the UNIFIL mission, in response to UNIFIL's need for aerial
reconnaissance, including for observation along the blue
line. She indicated that decisions on what information to
share and how best to share it with Lebanon and/or Israel
will be made by UNIFIL commanders, UNDPKO, and the Strategic
Coordination cell established within the DPKO in New York.
4. (C) Novosseloff confirmed previous reporting that Israeli
overflights of Lebanon are continuing, although at higher
altitudes and less aggressively over UNIFIL forces. She used
the opportunity of our meeting to convey the French
military's concern that the continued overflights could be
used as a pretext by Hizbullah to renew their activities.
The GoF, she concluded, is keen on supporting and ensuring
the success of the Siniora government.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
HOFMANN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL LE FR
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DEPLOYMENT OF FRENCH UAVS TO LEBANON
REF: A) PARIS 7838 B) PARIS USDAO IIR 6 832 0159 07
(NOTAL)
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt,
Reason 1.4 B/D
1. (C) On December 20, we met with Alexandra Novosseloff,
desk officer in the MOD's Crisis Management bureau, to
clarify the status of France's deployment of reconnaissance
drones (SDTI) to Lebanon (reftels). She noted that, contrary
to press reports, the drones have not yet been deployed in
Lebanon. The political decision to deploy has not yet been
made, pending DPKO approval of the deployment. The drones
would be for the use of the UNIFIL commander, and not only
French forces in UNIFIL, she added. (Note: without providing
a clear indication, Novosseloff hinted the Elysee would have
the final say.)
2. (C) In response to our request for further details (see
ref A),Novosseloff said the drones were not part of the
"security package" under consideration by the GOF for
Lebanon. She indicated that the "security package" under
consideration aims to provide a range of measures to help the
Lebanese government deal with security issues outside
UNIFIL's area of operation, such as the monitoring of
Lebanon's border with Syria. She noted that the "security
package" is essentially a bilateral effort, although others,
such as the U.S. would be welcome to participate. When
pressed, she admitted she had no information on the status of
the "security package."
3. (C) Novosseloff observed that the drones would be used for
the UNIFIL mission, in response to UNIFIL's need for aerial
reconnaissance, including for observation along the blue
line. She indicated that decisions on what information to
share and how best to share it with Lebanon and/or Israel
will be made by UNIFIL commanders, UNDPKO, and the Strategic
Coordination cell established within the DPKO in New York.
4. (C) Novosseloff confirmed previous reporting that Israeli
overflights of Lebanon are continuing, although at higher
altitudes and less aggressively over UNIFIL forces. She used
the opportunity of our meeting to convey the French
military's concern that the continued overflights could be
used as a pretext by Hizbullah to renew their activities.
The GoF, she concluded, is keen on supporting and ensuring
the success of the Siniora government.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
HOFMANN