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

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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


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