FRENCH APPROVAL OF MANUEL NORIEGA EXTRADITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002704

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR L/LEI-S(TORRES) AND EUR/WE(ALLEGRONE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2017
TAGS: PREL FR CJAN
SUBJECT: FRENCH APPROVAL OF MANUEL NORIEGA EXTRADITION
IMMINENT

REF: STATE 84275

Classified By: PolMC Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (B & D).


1. (SBU) Per reftel, POL Deputy discussed June 22 urgency of
Manuel Noriega extradition proceedings with MFA Americas
PDAS-equivalent Marc Laforet. Laforet was joined by
DAS-equivalent for Cuba and Central America Blandine Kreiss
and desk officers from the U.S. and Central American desks.


2. (C) Laforet responded that a June 3 interministerial
meeting had produced an agreement to recommend to the
Presidency that the GOF agree to provide the assurances
sought in the U.S. diplomatic note of February 2007. He
reiterated that, while France was not in a position to grant
POW status to Noriega, it would be able to afford him
treatment at least equal to that he is receiving in the
United States. Laforet predicted that the Presidency would
respond favorably within a matter of days -- and possibly as
early as late that same day -- given the Presidency's likely
interest in taking a decision in advance of Secretary Rice's
June 24 arrival in Paris. Laforet promised that a decision
would be taken by June 26 at the latest. While he could not
presume to speak for the Presidency, he was confident that
the decision would be positive.


3. (SBU) Laforet confirmed that France would transmit its
official response by diplomatic note via its Embassy in
Washington "before Independence day," at the latest, and
promised to provide us a copy. In presenting the French
diplomatic note, Laforet said the Embassy would be interested
in obtaining further details from Washington about specific
U.S. procedural requirements for effecting the extradition.



Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm


PEKALA