FRENCH THOUGHTS ON NORWEGIAN CLUSTER MUNITIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000256 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/WRA KATHERINE BAKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017 TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO FR SUBJECT: FRENCH THOUGHTS ON NORWEGIAN CLUSTER MUNITIONS CONFERENCE REF: STATE 6667 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1 .4 B/D ¶1. (C) On January 22, we discussed with Mr. Camille Grand, MFA DAS-equivalent Director for CB disarmament and the control of conventional weapons, the February 22-23 Norwegian conference in Oslo on cluster munitions. In response to our presentation of U.S. views (reftel),Grand observed that the GOF also was unclear as to Norwegian objectives. One possibility is that the Norwegian government is seeking to address its own domestic opinion, he suggested. Grand, however, welcomed our interest in exchanging views on cluster munitions and asked that we keep the GOF apprised of our thinking. ¶2. (C) According to Grand, the GOF has not yet reached a decision on how it will react to the Oslo conference, which it sees as having a potential to complicate ongoing discussions at the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW),as well as the June experts meeting (ERW). Additionally, like the U.S., France has not been invited to the conference and has not taken a decision on whether to seek an invitation, although the GOF has approached the Norwegians for further information on Norwegian thinking for the conference. Complicating the decision process on a potential French attendance is the GOF's understanding that Norway is only prepared to accept invitees as participants and not as observers. ¶3. (C) Grand explained that, much like in the United States and other European countries, the French public is concerned over the use of cluster munitions and landmines. France would therefore not be opposed, in principle, to a discussion on furthering the reliability of cluster weapons, on regulating their usage, and/or on limiting their number, he added. Nonetheless, Grand made it clear that the French government is not in favor of a ban on cluster munitions. The Norwegians may be well-intentioned, but the GOF would only view Norwegian efforts as helpful if they were designed to supplement CCW efforts. We noted that the USG shares Norway's humanitarian concerns, but that full implementation of existing treaty commitments and international law is key to addressing the danger of cluster munitions to civilians. Grand agreed, adding that if the Oslo discussions lead to an Ottawa-style process, which many viewed as confrontational, then some countries might chose to opt out of any final outcome in Oslo. ¶4. (C) In presenting the French perspective, Grand also took note of our respective differences. He said that while the French military shares U.S. views on the usefulness or need to employ cluster munitions, France has not used these weapons since 1991. Grand nonetheless observed that France has retained its stocks of weapons. He also made the point that French stocks of cluster munitions were smaller, and the accuracy of its cluster munitions greater than those used by the U.S. (Note: Embassy Defense Attache's office comments that French cluster munitions are not more accurate.) Lastly, Grand reminded us that France has ratified Protocol V to the CCW. We noted that the U.S. also supports this protocol and that the President forwarded it to the Senate in ¶2006. ¶5. (C) In response to our queries, Grand said the EU has also developed a position on cluster munitions, but that it is "very general." Broadly speaking, he said that there is recognition in the EU that "something must be done about such weapons," but there is no agreement on specific options. Grand also wondered whether NATO had staked out a position, as well. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON