DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES DISCUSSES BMENA WITH FRENCH

UNCLAS PARIS 004382 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM BMENA FR EG SUBJECT: DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES DISCUSSES BMENA WITH FRENCH MFA, OCTOBER 25 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) Visiting DRL DAS Erica Barks-Ruggles, accompanied by poloff and pol LES, met October 25 at the French MFA with DAS-equivalent for the Levant Ludovic Pouille, Director of the office of cooperation for the Middle East Jean-Michel Ledain, and the MFA's coordinator for BMENA Nicolas Fondraz to discuss BMENA issues. She began by asking for impressions of the just-concluded sub-ministerial in Berlin, thoughts about how to improve cooperation between NGOs and governments, and views on Egyptian resistance and how to help make Egypt become more comfortable with BMENA. ¶2. (SBU) With respect to Egypt, Ledain observed that the presence of activist Sa'ad Eddin Ibrahim had been a red flag for the government delegation. In his view, the Egyptian attitude was less based on principle than on personality. Fondraz related a recent incident, which underscored Egyptian sensitivities, wherein an Egyptian activist started "having problems" after he received the French government's annual human rights award. ¶3. (SBU) Fondraz asked for USG views on the proposed NGO principles and the upcoming BMENA ministerial in Yemen. She expressed confidence in the level of support already given on the principles by several key governments and NGOs, but acknowledged the Egyptians might comment negatively on proposals circulating. Ledain raised the problem for NGOs of financing from abroad. Barks-Ruggles responded that documents circulating make the point that their provisions are based on previously-agreed commitments and exclude those groups supporting violence. Pouille concurred, noting the "helpful" references to "lawful activities." Fondraz asserted that seeking Arab consensus would be difficult. Barks-Ruggles noted that the effort to come up with voluntary undertakings is aimed at avoiding a new fight -- which NGOs do not want -- like that which happened over the Bahrain declaration. When asked how many signatories the USG expects, Barks-Ruggles replied that the civil society component seems on board, and there appears to be good buy-in from the Gulf states and former BMENA hosts. ¶4. (SBU) Fondraz, who agreed that the governments in the region need steady pressure to make progress, asked whether the next U.S. administration would continue the momentum BMENA has built up. Barks-Ruggles firmly replied yes, affirming that progress in all the areas covered by BMENA was critical to the region's political evolution and to confronting extremist political forces. In that spirit, she noted the need for G-8 support for BMENA initiatives. Fondraz noted in this context the early stages of France's initiative to create a Mediterranean Union that would complement much of what BMENA is doing. ¶5. (SBU) Barks-Ruggles noted the Secretary's intention to attend the December 4-5 ministerial and strongly urged that FM Kouchner would do likewise. Fondraz responded that the current French thinking was to send the NEA A/S-equivalent or his deputy. Barks-Ruggles urged the French to reconsider their level of representation, pointing out that others in the G-8 (e.g., Germany) would send their foreign ministers to demonstrate the importance they attach to the effort. ¶6. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles has cleared this cable. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm PEKALA