Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL4208
2007-12-27 14:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

FRANCE REPORTEDLY WILLING TO HOST AFGHAN DONOR

Tags:  EFIN MARR PGOV PREL SNAR AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0283
OO RUEHPW
DE RUEHBUL #4208 3611408
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271408Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2044
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 004208 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2017
TAGS: EFIN MARR PGOV PREL SNAR AF
SUBJECT: FRANCE REPORTEDLY WILLING TO HOST AFGHAN DONOR
CONFERENCE


Classified By: Acting DCM Bruce Rogers, Reasons 1.4 b & d

C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 004208

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2017
TAGS: EFIN MARR PGOV PREL SNAR AF
SUBJECT: FRANCE REPORTEDLY WILLING TO HOST AFGHAN DONOR
CONFERENCE


Classified By: Acting DCM Bruce Rogers, Reasons 1.4 b & d


1. (C) Foreign Minister Spanta relayed to the Ambassador
December 26 French Foreign Minister Kouchner's willingness to
host an Afghan donor conference in May or June. On December
22, during President Sarkozy's one-day visit to Kabul, Spanta
had inquired of Kouchner about France's interest in hosting
the conference. Spanta expects France to confirm formally in
writing its role as host. He described the Sarkozy visit as
"excellent."


2. (SBU) French Charge d'Affaires Jean-Francois Fitou echoed
that assessment when discussing the visit with Acting
POLMILCOUNS. He confirmed media reports that Sarkozy,
Kouchner and Defense Minister Morin had met with President
Karzai and COMISAF General McNeill, and had visited French
troops stationed in Kabul.


3. (C) Fitou listed Sarkozy's goals as reaffirming French
support for the Afghan government and signaling France's
unreserved willingness to contribute fully as a member of
"the international team." Fitou said Sarkozy is considering
increasing France's role in Afghanistan's stabilization and
reconstruction. He then speculated that France might
increase its development aid, offer more training to the
Afghan National Security Forces, field its own Provincial
Reconstruction Team or even augment the nearly 2000 French
troops in theater. Fitou believes Sarkozy will unveil
specific proposals to enhance France's role in Afghanistan at
the April NATO Bucharest Summit.


4. (C) Before he can commit additional French troops or
resources to Afghanistan, said Fitou, Sarkozy must convince
the French people that failure in Afghanistan would seriously
impact their vital interests. According to the Charge,
Sarkozy was making that argument to his citizenry when he
asserted in his speech to French troops that they are on the
frontline in the battle against world terrorism and the
global trade in illicit narcotics. Fitou noted that French
receptivity to Sarkozy's argument will be tempered by the
knowledge that France has already lost nearly two dozen
soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

WOOD