GAERC DEMARCHE: FRENCH RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004516 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN BK BM CH IR IS IZ KV LE PK SY, ZI, FR SUBJECT: GAERC DEMARCHE: FRENCH RESPONSE REF: STATE 156474 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso ns 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On November 15, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to MFA CFSP Deputy (DAS-equivalent) Emmanuel Cohet, who provided the following responses in advance of the November 19-20 GAERC meeting of EU foreign ministers: ¶A. EU-CHINA SUMMIT: The GOF agrees with the USG position on working with China within the P5 1 to find a diplomatic solution on Iran and would like to see a third UNSC Resolution. Cohet noted that there will be a meeting of Political Directors of the P5 1 soon which will hopefully make progress on this issue. On the issue of the EU arms embargo against China, Cohet assured us that the U.S. position is well known. There are some EU countries which believe that it is worth considering whether the EU position could evolve from the current total embargo, but this position has not found consensus with all member states. ¶B. EU-AFRICA SUMMIT: Cohet appreciated USG support for the December EU-Africa summit to develop a more strategic partnership with the African continent. EU-U.S. cooperation in Africa is deemed important. This will be the first such summit since 2000 (the 2003 EU-Africa summit having been aborted over the question of Mugabe's participation). Cohet said that the discussion over Mugabe's participation this year remains difficult, but for now the 27 member countries remain unified that Mugabe is invited along with other heads of state/government, and each country can decide its own level of representation (ie, the UK's Gordon Brown has threatened to boycott). ¶C. KOSOVO: France is in complete agreement with our approach on Kosovo; the GOF supports the Troika's efforts to negotiate a settlement between the parties, while at the same time understanding that it is important to begin preparing for the post-December 10 future. ¶D. BOSNIA: On Bosnia, the GOF is equally in line with USG positions. There is strong French support for High Representative Lajcak and an equally strong belief that the reform of the Bosnian political institutions is critical to strengthening their stability. Cohet reiterated that for France the two key priorities in the Balkans are determining the future status of Kosovo and stabilizing the Republika Srbska. ¶E. IRAN: Cohet took note of the report issued yesterday by IAEA's Mohammed El Baradei and stated his belief that the next Political Director's meeting will focus on more specific reactions of the P5 1 and international community. On this issue, the French and U.S. positions are seen as in complete agreement. ¶F. IRAQ: Cohet stated that EU is looking to deepen the dialogue between the EU and Iraq. The EU will tailor its assistance towards both humanitarian and reconstruction efforts to help the Iraqi population. ¶G. ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE: The GOF fully supports the upcoming Annapolis conference at the end of this month and they are looking forward to the Palestinian donors conference which will be hosted in Paris in mid-December. Cohet stated that it is important that these two major events have a "concrete outcome" and that there will be visible benefits on the ground. The French government is committed to assist in moving the peace process forward. ¶H. LEBANON/SYRIA: Cohet reported that on the issue of Lebanon and Syria, French efforts are convergent with U.S. interests. The EU remains fairly unified in its goal of seeing a consensus candidate elected in the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections. On the issue of a border security PARIS 00004516 002 OF 002 delegation, the GOF believes that the focus should include both Beirut and Damascus. ¶I. BURMA: Cohet announced that the GOF "completely agrees" with the U.S. position on Burma. The EU sanctions that were announced on October 15 are being implemented; then it will be important to watch developments. Cohet said that some within the EU have seen some encouraging signals from Burma, but others agree that these signals are insufficient. The French support the UN and Special Representative Gambari and believe that it is important to maintain the pressure on the Burmese generals. ¶J. PAKISTAN: The GOF views on the current situation in Pakistan echo U.S. views. They will also be "passing the message" to Musharraf to lift the state of emergency, restore political freedoms and give up his army chief post before taking the oath of office as President. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON