S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000322

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

S/CT FOR MARC NORMAN, TED ALLEGRA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL INTERPOL KJUS TS AG MO RW
SUBJECT: C/T JUDGE ON FRANCE, RWANDA, PAKISTAN, AND HIS
POLITICAL FUTURE

REF: PARIS 186

Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASO
NS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (S) SUMMARY: France,s chief counterterrorism judge,
Jean-Louis Bruguiere, told us on January 19 that a recent
surge in overall GSPC activities worried French
counterterrorism officials, who are convinced there is now a
significantly higher threat against France and its interests
abroad. Tunisian security services, he said, had essentially
shut the French out, preferring to deny the existence of a
threat. Morocco was cooperative, while Algeria remained hot
and cold, or "as usual."


2. (S) Summary continued: Operational relations between
France and the U.S. were excellent, Bruguiere said. He also
praised DNI John Negroponte,s comments on Pakistan, adding
that President Musharraf did not exercise control over all of
Pakistan and that this country posed the most immediate
threat to global security. He confirmed that he had
conferred with GoF officials, including President Chirac, on
the timing and fallout of his issuance of arrest warrants
against top Kigame aides and warned against better U.S.
relations with Rwanda. Bruguiere also confirmed rumors that
he will likely be leaving the top terrorism court to pursue
political ambitions. END SUMMARY

GSPC THREAT AND THE MAGHREB
--------------


3. (S) France,s chief counterterrorism judge, Jean-Louis
Bruguiere, told us on January 19 that he found an apparent
escalation in GSPC activities in the Maghreb during the past
several months particularly worrisome. France, he said, was
at a higher state of alert and would likely remain so for the
foreseeable future. While there was no specific threat
information, he said the GoF was convinced that cells and
supporters were prepared to be active in France and Europe.
The dismantling of at least two, relatively major, Islamic

cells on French territory every year showed a clear and
present threat. Information exchange with Tunisia, he said,
was now virtually non-existent. The Tunisian government was
either in denial or did not know how to proceed and was
shutting out the French. Morocco continues to be relatively
reliable with information, with Algeria as, "as usual,"
excellent on some days and like Tunisia on others. (COMMENT:
Bruguiere,s characterization of operational cooperation with
the Maghreb is worse than other C/T contacts have previously
reported. Bruguiere,s observations, therefore, may or may
not apply to all of the French intelligence services. End
Comment)

U.S./FRANCE COOPERATION
--------------


4. (S) Bruguiere commented that U.S./France judicial and
operational exchanges remained excellent. He said that while
France,s legal system gave him much more discretion than the
U.S. system, our ability to work together was not hindered by
this; we had to be creative. (Note: Bruguiere was an expert
witness in the successful prosecution of Ahmed Ressam in the
famed L.A. trial, the U.S. vs. Ahmed Ressam).

PAKISTAN
--------------


5. (S) The judge praised DNI John Negroponte,s comments on
Pakistan during a recent Congressional intelligence briefing.
He said he was convinced that Pakistan posed the single
greatest threat to global security. President Musharaf, he
noted, lacked real control over both the territory of the
country and security and military agencies. Rogue elements
from Pakistan, he insisted, were the most likely to provide
nuclear weapons and safe-haven to terrorists.

RWANDA
--------------


6. (S) Bruguiere confirmed that he had consulted within the
GoF on his issuance of arrest warrants in the cases brought

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against nine of President Kagame,s top aides for
assassination of President Habyarimana and three French
aircraft crew (see reftel A). He said he presented his
decision to French officials, including President Chirac, as
his independent judicial right, but chose to consult with
them because he was convinced of the need to coordinate
timing with the government. Bruguiere said he was not
surprised by Rwanda,s official reaction, and said that the
GoF had prepared for what it thought would be a violent
response against French nationals. He praised his own
decision to move forward, adding that the international
community had a certain moral responsibility, and that his
actions were in the pursuit of justice. Bruguiere was
satisfied that the nine individuals he listed could not leave
Rwanda without fear of arrest, but was doubtful the ICTR
would take up the case. (COMMENT: Bruguiere,s presented his
case in a very professional manner, but he did not hide his
personal desire to see Kagame,s government isolated. He
warned that closer U.S. ties with Rwanda would be a mistake.
END COMMENT)

BRUGUIERE MOVING ON?
--------------


7. (C) Since 1982 Bruguiere has been one of the leading
players in the French fight against terrorism, and he is
considered a leading world expert in terrorism. He has been
the chief of the French counterterrorism court, created in
1986, since its inception. He has survived at least one
direct assassination attempt, and is the most visible
counterterrorism figure in France. Bruguiere,s ambitions
have now turned to the political, however. He told us that
he is likely to run for a parliamentary seat later this year.
Bruguiere also casually mentioned that a cabinet post
(Minister of Justice) would be his first choice. His
departure will be a loss to the court, but it has become a
solid institution under his tutelage and it,s clear that
Bruguiere intends to stay an active part of the C/T community.


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

STAPLETON