FRANCE INCREASING JUSTICE AID TO AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002802 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2017 TAGS: KJUS PREL SA AF IBRD FR SUBJECT: FRANCE INCREASING JUSTICE AID TO AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 87370 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On June 28, MFA sources confirmed that that the new French administration is showing much more interest in Afghanistan, and that France plans to increase civil assistance to Afghanistan in a number of ways. The GOF has decided to provide an expert and some funding for a regional field office as part of the Provincial Justice Coordination Mechanism. The MFA is also considering a contribution to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund. In addition, France is augmenting its existing program of bilateral assistance by expanding its work with Afghan Supreme Court justices, engaging with the Afghan National Police regarding juvenile justice, and discussing with Kabul and the UNDP a training program for parliamentarians. Due to a ministerial-level scheduling conflict, the GOF will be represented in Rome by Michel Filhol, MFA A/S-equivalent for Asia and Oceania. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On June 28, we presented reftel demarche to MFA desk officer for Afghanistan Cyril Gerardon, who noted that the Sarkozy Government is keen to expand its assistance to Afghanistan. In response to our queries, he made the following comments: -- Provincial Justice Coordination Mechanism (PJCM): Gerardon stated that France is prepared to provide a technical expert and some funding for one regional field office as part of the PJCM, preferably in Mazar-e-Sharif or Bamian. -- Multilateral Funding Mechanism: France has not yet made any national contribution to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund, but is seriously considering doing so. There is no budget decision yet, so no contribution will be announced in Rome. October is a more likely timeframe for a potential announcement. According to Gerardon, the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan is not actively being considered as an option now, but it could be considered at a later date. -- Bilateral Assistance: France has focused on bilateral assistance thus far, including the justice sector, and plans to expand its current programs while considering new ones. First, the French-German initiative to provide training to Afghan Supreme Court justices will move into a second phase, with a sum of 2.2 million euros allocated for the development of a national training center for judges in Afghanistan. According to Gerardon, the project is not yet confirmed, as details are still being worked out with the Government of Afghanistan. Secondly, France is moving into capacity building for Afghan National Police officers dedicated to working on juvenile offenses cases. Thirdly, France is working with the U.N. Development Programme in Kabul regarding a possible project of Parliamentary training on public administration. Though the project is not yet confirmed, it would have a budget of approximately two million euros. ¶3. (C) France will be represented at the Rome Conference by Michel Filhol, the MFA's Assistant Secretary-equivalent for Asia and Oceania and former French ambassador to Singapore. Gerardon explained that French Prime Minister Fillon is addressing the French National Assembly on July 3, where all ministers without exception are expected to be present. Rama Yade, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights and a rising star in Sarkozy's administration, was therefore obliged to cancel her participation in the conference, and other higher-level French participation is precluded as well. Gerardon stressed that this is an unfortunate accident of timing. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: It appears that the French administration is much more open now to a more active engagement in assistance to Afghanistan, including in the justice sector. Post recommends further encouragement on the sidelines of the Rome conference. Gerardon stated that for the MFA Afghanistan desk, this moment offers a real opportunity for engagement following three years of inactivity and frustration. END COMMENT. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON