Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS414
2007-02-01 17:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH INFORMED U.S. WILL NOT ATTEND PARIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0019 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #0414 0321737 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 011737Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4641 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1123 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2583
UNCLAS PARIS 000414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH INFORMED U.S. WILL NOT ATTEND PARIS
CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN IN WAR
REF: STATE 12222
UNCLAS PARIS 000414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH INFORMED U.S. WILL NOT ATTEND PARIS
CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN IN WAR
REF: STATE 12222
1. (SBU) POLOFF delivered reftel points on February 1 to MFA
IO DAS-Equivalent Jacques Pellet to convey the U.S. decision
not/not to participate in the February 5-6 Ministerial
Conference in Paris entitled "Free the Children from War.
Poloff explained that the U.S. decision did not/not reflect
diminished U.S. concern over unlawful or abusive use of
children in conflict situations. POLOFF stated that the U.S.
could not endorse the underpinning Conference texts -- both
the "Paris Commitments" and the "Paris Principles" that the
former introduce -- due to elements that cross numerous legal
and policy redlines.
2. (SBU) Pellet claimed he understood the U.S. decision and
that the MFA would study reftel points. The Conference, he
repeatedly emphasized, was not intended by the MFA and UNICEF
to put the U.S. or "other friends" in a difficult situation.
It aimed rather to garner momentum for the international
effort against child soldiers, in particular combattants as
young as 12 or 13. Moreover, the Conference declaration, the
so-called "Paris Commitments," was non-binding. POLOFF
inquired whether France would seek to build on the "Paris
Commitments" or "Paris Principles" as a staple reference in
UNGA and UNSC negotations. Pellet replied that the MFA
currently had no agenda to that end.
3. (SBU) Pellet, while not yet able to provide exact
participation figures, said France and co-organizer UNICEF
anticipated at least 14 attendees of ministerial rank,
including Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei
Denisov. The PRC would be represented at ambassadorial
level. UN Human Rights Commissioner Louise Arbour and ICC
Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo would also attend; Pellet
found Moreno-Ocampo's presence especially appropriate given
that the ICC was now launching a watershed trial involving
the recruitment of child-soldiers. Pellet was pleased that
Sierra Leone, DRC and Sri Lanka were sending senior-level
representatives.
4. (SBU) Pellet closed by reminding POLOFF of FM
Douste-Blazy's personal commitment to the issue of
child-soldiers.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH INFORMED U.S. WILL NOT ATTEND PARIS
CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN IN WAR
REF: STATE 12222
1. (SBU) POLOFF delivered reftel points on February 1 to MFA
IO DAS-Equivalent Jacques Pellet to convey the U.S. decision
not/not to participate in the February 5-6 Ministerial
Conference in Paris entitled "Free the Children from War.
Poloff explained that the U.S. decision did not/not reflect
diminished U.S. concern over unlawful or abusive use of
children in conflict situations. POLOFF stated that the U.S.
could not endorse the underpinning Conference texts -- both
the "Paris Commitments" and the "Paris Principles" that the
former introduce -- due to elements that cross numerous legal
and policy redlines.
2. (SBU) Pellet claimed he understood the U.S. decision and
that the MFA would study reftel points. The Conference, he
repeatedly emphasized, was not intended by the MFA and UNICEF
to put the U.S. or "other friends" in a difficult situation.
It aimed rather to garner momentum for the international
effort against child soldiers, in particular combattants as
young as 12 or 13. Moreover, the Conference declaration, the
so-called "Paris Commitments," was non-binding. POLOFF
inquired whether France would seek to build on the "Paris
Commitments" or "Paris Principles" as a staple reference in
UNGA and UNSC negotations. Pellet replied that the MFA
currently had no agenda to that end.
3. (SBU) Pellet, while not yet able to provide exact
participation figures, said France and co-organizer UNICEF
anticipated at least 14 attendees of ministerial rank,
including Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei
Denisov. The PRC would be represented at ambassadorial
level. UN Human Rights Commissioner Louise Arbour and ICC
Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo would also attend; Pellet
found Moreno-Ocampo's presence especially appropriate given
that the ICC was now launching a watershed trial involving
the recruitment of child-soldiers. Pellet was pleased that
Sierra Leone, DRC and Sri Lanka were sending senior-level
representatives.
4. (SBU) Pellet closed by reminding POLOFF of FM
Douste-Blazy's personal commitment to the issue of
child-soldiers.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON