FRENCH INFORMED U.S. WILL NOT ATTEND PARIS

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