Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS2604
2007-06-15 17:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRANCE/GAERC: LARGELY IN SYNCH WITH U.S. POSITIONS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002604
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN ETRD KPAL XG IS IR AF FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/GAERC: LARGELY IN SYNCH WITH U.S. POSITIONS
REF: REF: STATE 80034
Classified By: A/DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002604
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN ETRD KPAL XG IS IR AF FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/GAERC: LARGELY IN SYNCH WITH U.S. POSITIONS
REF: REF: STATE 80034
Classified By: A/DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d.
1. (C) On June 15, MFA CFSP Deputy Emmanuel Cohet indicated
France's general agreement with U.S. views in advance of the
June General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)
meeting. Of note, he said that the EU Common Position on
Cuba will not be weakened or strengthened and that decisive
action on Kosovo must take place at the UNSC. He noted that
the MFA is already preparing for France to assume the EU
Presidency in July 2008.
2. (C) Cuba: Cohet indicated that there is a consensus in
the EU on the double approach of maintaining, even
intensifying, dialogue with both the Cuban government and
Cuban opposition and civil society. He said this was no real
change from the 1996 Common Position, while noting that the
2003 Restrictive Measures would remain suspended.
3. (C) Central Asia: Cohet said that whether Central Asian
representatives would be invited to the European Council was
the prerogative of the EU Presidency. He observed that
France will hold the EU Presidency for the second half of
2008, and noted as an aside that workloads have already
increased as a result.
4. (C) Western Balkans: Cohet stated that Bosnia was not
scheduled for discussion. Regarding Serbia, Cohet noted that
the EU has reopened negotiations with Serbia on a
Stabilization and Association Agreement. He said France
agrees on the importance of encouraging Serbia to pursue its
EU integration aspirations, while emphasizing the need for
Serbia to cooperate with the ICTY. On Kosovo, Cohet said
that France's focus is still on what evolves at the UN, as
decisive action must take place there. Cohet noted France's
agreement on the need for unity of the international
community and support for the Ahtissari proposal. He stated
again France's "very favorable" view of U.S. participation in
the Kosovo ESDP mission, noting that Kosovo would be the
largest civil ESDP mission. Within the EU, he said that
although there are different sensitivities, there are
sufficient convergences of opinion at present for a common EU
position.
5. (C) Middle East Peace Process: Cohet said that since
there is no longer a Palestinian national government, the way
forward is not clear. The GAERC will agree on a common text,
but it will likely focus on reiterating basic principles, as
the situation bears further watching. France continues to
agree with the U.S. on the need for Palestinians to cooperate
with President Abbas, condemning the Qassam rocket attacks on
Israel, and supporting the Quartet principles. Cohet
indicated that questions about assistance to the Palestinians
would have to be addressed in the new context.
6. (C) Iran: Cohet said that France agrees with the U.S.
position, including appreciation for Javier Solana's efforts,
regrets that the May 31 meeting was not more productive, and
foresees a potential need to take additional appropriate
action at the UNSC.
7. (C) Sudan: Cohet stated that France's focus is on its
proposed ministerial meeting of the Expanded Contact Group.
Kouchner traveled to Sudan, has invited his counterparts to
convene, and hopes Secretary Rice will participate.
8. (C) Ukraine, Moldova, and Russia: Cohet indicated that
these topics would not be discussed.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN ETRD KPAL XG IS IR AF FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE/GAERC: LARGELY IN SYNCH WITH U.S. POSITIONS
REF: REF: STATE 80034
Classified By: A/DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d.
1. (C) On June 15, MFA CFSP Deputy Emmanuel Cohet indicated
France's general agreement with U.S. views in advance of the
June General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)
meeting. Of note, he said that the EU Common Position on
Cuba will not be weakened or strengthened and that decisive
action on Kosovo must take place at the UNSC. He noted that
the MFA is already preparing for France to assume the EU
Presidency in July 2008.
2. (C) Cuba: Cohet indicated that there is a consensus in
the EU on the double approach of maintaining, even
intensifying, dialogue with both the Cuban government and
Cuban opposition and civil society. He said this was no real
change from the 1996 Common Position, while noting that the
2003 Restrictive Measures would remain suspended.
3. (C) Central Asia: Cohet said that whether Central Asian
representatives would be invited to the European Council was
the prerogative of the EU Presidency. He observed that
France will hold the EU Presidency for the second half of
2008, and noted as an aside that workloads have already
increased as a result.
4. (C) Western Balkans: Cohet stated that Bosnia was not
scheduled for discussion. Regarding Serbia, Cohet noted that
the EU has reopened negotiations with Serbia on a
Stabilization and Association Agreement. He said France
agrees on the importance of encouraging Serbia to pursue its
EU integration aspirations, while emphasizing the need for
Serbia to cooperate with the ICTY. On Kosovo, Cohet said
that France's focus is still on what evolves at the UN, as
decisive action must take place there. Cohet noted France's
agreement on the need for unity of the international
community and support for the Ahtissari proposal. He stated
again France's "very favorable" view of U.S. participation in
the Kosovo ESDP mission, noting that Kosovo would be the
largest civil ESDP mission. Within the EU, he said that
although there are different sensitivities, there are
sufficient convergences of opinion at present for a common EU
position.
5. (C) Middle East Peace Process: Cohet said that since
there is no longer a Palestinian national government, the way
forward is not clear. The GAERC will agree on a common text,
but it will likely focus on reiterating basic principles, as
the situation bears further watching. France continues to
agree with the U.S. on the need for Palestinians to cooperate
with President Abbas, condemning the Qassam rocket attacks on
Israel, and supporting the Quartet principles. Cohet
indicated that questions about assistance to the Palestinians
would have to be addressed in the new context.
6. (C) Iran: Cohet said that France agrees with the U.S.
position, including appreciation for Javier Solana's efforts,
regrets that the May 31 meeting was not more productive, and
foresees a potential need to take additional appropriate
action at the UNSC.
7. (C) Sudan: Cohet stated that France's focus is on its
proposed ministerial meeting of the Expanded Contact Group.
Kouchner traveled to Sudan, has invited his counterparts to
convene, and hopes Secretary Rice will participate.
8. (C) Ukraine, Moldova, and Russia: Cohet indicated that
these topics would not be discussed.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON