FRANCE SIGNS ASEAN TREATY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000259 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/16 TAGS: ASEC PHUM PREL PINR BM FR SUBJECT: FRANCE SIGNS ASEAN TREATY Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah B. Rosenblatt, Reaso ns 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Summary: In a January 16 meeting with EAP DAS Thomas Christensen, MFA A/S-Equivalent Michel Filhot explained that France had now signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) at the instigation of President Chirac. France sought to deepen regional ties and to encourage other EU members to sign the TAC. Filhot dismissed suggestions that the association with ASEAN, whose founding principles include non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, could inhibit French criticism of the Burma regime. Filhot said French views on Burma were in harmony with USG positions. He noted France had backed the USG-draft UNSCR despite French reservations. He expressed concern about the impact of the PRC veto while acknowledging the PRC had nonetheless criticized the regime in its explanation of vote. Filhot commented that the PRC viewed the Burmese regime as a bulwark against Balkanization in the region. End summary. ¶2. (C) In a January 16 meeting with EAP DAS Thomas Christensen, MFA A/S-Equivalent Michel Filhot explained that France had signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) at the personal instigation of President Chirac, who wanted to demonstrate French commitment to the region. MFA DAS-Equivalent for East Asia Thierry Berthelot and Embassy Political Minister-Counselor and poloff (notetaker) also attended. ¶3. (C) Filhot, a former French Ambassador to Singapore, observed that the ASEAN region represented the "New Asia," and that France felt more comfortable there than in other parts of Asia, even the PRC. France had many and diversified interests within ASEAN, particular in the economic and security spheres, as well as deepening "people-to-people relations" and cultural exchanges; Filhot asserted the moment had come for France to join the TAC. He hoped that the French move would encourage other Europeans, including the EU, to follow suit. Filhot did not exclude possible French attendance at ASEAN ministerials, if invited. In fact, the chief downside he foresaw from TAC accession was the hassle of arranging French representation at second-tier ASEAN events. ¶4. (C) Christensen queried whether the French had qualms about a TAC clause enjoining non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN members and whether this would inhibit French criticism of the Burma regime. Filhot responded that the MFA did not consider the TAC to be a binding treaty, but rather a legal framework for promoting cooperation. French views on Burma were in harmony with USG positions, Filhot averred. He assured DAS Christensen that France would continue to subject Burma to close scrutiny, particularly on human rights. While Filhot saw incremental progress on Burma, e.g. an up-tick in ASEAN awareness and UN engagement, he worried nonetheless the Burmese regime was essentially immobile, even "autistic," yet well-entrenched and able perhaps to survive for decades to come. That said, the Burmese situation could take sudden turns, without warning, as witnessed by the highway stand-off between the regime and Aung Sang Suh Kyi in 2003. ¶5. (C) France, despite reservations, had backed the USG campaign for a UNSCR, Filhot noted. The PRC veto would have consequences, he worried. The Burmese regime was likely to pocket the veto while ignoring the PRC explanation of vote, which did not let the regime off scot-free. Both Filhot and Christensen found the PRC stance toward the Burmese regime had become more critical, within strict limits. Filhot predicted the PRC nonetheless continued to view the Burmese regime as a bulwark against Balkanization in the region. ¶6. (SBU) Bio Note: This was our first encounter with Michel Filhot in his new function as A/S-Equivalent for Asia and Oceania (corresponding to EAP SA). Filhot's only Asian posting came in 1999-2003 as Ambassador to Singapore, though he worked on Asian affairs in Paris from 1983-1985. His other assignments included Commercial Counselor in Rome (1981-1982); Second Counselor in Prague (1985-1988),Tripoli (1988-1990),and The Hague (1990-1994). Filhot is a trained lawyer and financial specialist. After Singapore, he served in the Ministry of Interior as Advisor to the Director for Internal Surveillance. Filhot replaced Herve Ladsous as A/S-Equivalent in January 2007 after the latter's posting as ambassador in Beijing. ¶7. (U) DAS Christensen cleared this cable. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON