DRC ARMS EMBARGO: FRANCE CONSIDERING

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003273 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL DR FR SUBJECT: DRC ARMS EMBARGO: FRANCE CONSIDERING MODIFICATIONS BUT NOT YET READY TO SUPPORT USG PROPOSAL REF: A. STATE 105643 ¶B. USUN 637 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) In response to ref A demarche, MFA Acting DRC Desk Officer Claude Blevin said on August 2 that the GOF was considering ways to modify the arms embargo affecting the DRC under the UNSC's sanctions regime, but that France was not yet ready to support the USG proposal. Blevin was familiar with the details of the discussion, based on the reporting of France's UN delegation. He said that the situation in the eastern DRC remained very tense and that it was therefore necessary to consider carefully any change to the present arms embargo. France would take a "cautious and prudent approach," he said. ¶2. (C) Blevin agreed that circumstances in the DRC since the elections warranted a change in the arms embargo and he understood the rationale behind the USG position, but he noted that the situation in-country remained fragile, referring to the events of March 22 as an example of the volatility and potential for break-down in the DRC. He said that the GOF was considering how best to address the issue of modifying the arms embargo and would certainly take into account U.S. views in formulating a position. At present, however, he said that until the review is completed, France could not at this time adopt the USG position. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm PEKALA