THE WAR ON TERROR: FRANCE ON U.S. PROPOSALS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 003340 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/PSC JOHN SANDAGE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER KTFN FR SUBJECT: THE WAR ON TERROR: FRANCE ON U.S. PROPOSALS FOR MAKING THE UN WORK FOR US REF: STATE 101839 Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASO NS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. SUMMARY: (C) Poloff shared reftel non-paper in late July with Louis Blin, Acting MFA DAS-Equivalent for Security and Counterterrorism in the Bureau of Strategic Affairs. Following up in an August 7 meeting, Blin told poloff that the GOF was particularly impressed with the U.S. initiative, especially as France strongly believed that the UN could be a much more effective body in combating terrorism. The GOF, Blin said, agreed in principle with all of the proposals, and highlighted special interest in two points: (1) strengthening CTED leadership, and (2) giving UNDP resident coordinators responsibility for coordinating delivery of Strategy-related UN technical assistance programs. Blin said the GOF appreciated the USG's support for Jean-Paul Laborde's candidacy as the CTED Executive Director and hoped that our support would not wane in the face of Russian opposition. A committed, supportive CTED Director, Blin said, was vital to accomplishing the goals in the U.S. non-paper. Blin added that the Russian candidate, who is currently acting director, had already demonstrated a lack of leadership and creativity. Blin noted that he provided the French Mission in NY with a response to reftel demarche. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) During an August 7 meeting, Acting MFA DAS-Equivalent for Security and Counterterrorism in the Bureau of Strategic Affairs, Louis Blin, provided poloff with a French response to reftel non-paper, delivered in late July. Blin noted that the GOF was very impressed with the U.S. initiative, adding that France continued to believe that the UN was vital in the fight against terrorism, but required better direction and stronger support from CTC members. The GOF, Blin said, in principle, supported all of the U.S. non-paper proposals. However, he drew special attention to the paper's first point on strengthening CTED leadership as key to accomplishing all of the other goals. Blin said that a strong, energetic, creative, and respected CTED Director was vital to enhancing the organization's effectiveness. Providing the CTED with more autonomy, as proposed in the U.S. paper, Blin added, was an excellent way to give the Executive Director an appropriate amount of authority and flexibility to revitalize the organization. ¶3. (C) Blin expressed the GOF's appreciation for U.S. support of French candidate Jean-Paul Laborde to succeed Ruperez as Executive Director of the CTED. France strongly believed, Blin said, that Laborde, a French judge and current (since 2003) director of terrorism prevention at UNODC, was the most qualified candidate for the position and was respected by both Western countries and the developing world. It was precisely this sort of legitimacy, Blin said, that was vital to the success of the CTED Executive Director. Russian candidate (and current Acting CTED Director) Sergei Karev, Blin said, was not well regarded and would not bring much credibility with him. Karev had failed to demonstrate leadership and creativity during his tenure as Ruperez's deputy. Blin added that the Australian candidate was not unacceptable but France did not plan to withdraw Laborde since Russia had made it clear that they would not withdraw Karev under any circumstances. The GOF, Blin said, hoped the U.S. would continue to support Laborde. ¶4. (C) Blin also highlighted GOF interest in the U.S. non-paper's third point, giving UNDP resident coordinators responsibility for coordinating delivery of Strategy-related UN technical assistance programs. He noted that in many countries, UNDP was the most familiar UN presence, and that insisting that resident coordinators work more closely with CTED would significantly strengthen the UN's overall C/T efforts and amplify its message in many developing countries. Tying counterterrorism to UNDP, in particular, Blin said, would also help to address many countries' concerns that poverty creates conditions that facilitate the spread of terrorism. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: It was clear that Blin hoped to preserve U.S. support for Laborde's candidacy as CTED Executive Director, and in doing so, he signaled a strong French interest in revitalizing UN counterterrorism efforts. Blin was extremely positive about the U.S. demarche and obviously pleased that the U.S. was taking the initiative. END COMMENT Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm PEKALA