PRESSING THE FRENCH ON AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004710

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FOR AMBASSADOR BOUCHER FROM AMBASSADOR STAPLETON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID PHUM AF FR
SUBJECT: PRESSING THE FRENCH ON AFGHANISTAN


Classified By: Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)


1. (C) SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION: On December 12,
Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood met with French
officials to brief them on the situation in Afghanistan and
to press the GOF to host an Afghan Donors Conference in May
or June of 2008. Both Christian Masset, Director General for
Economic and Financial Affairs, and Nicolas de la Grandville,
the President's advisor on Asian Affairs,
confirmed that the GOF was considering holding the
conference. However, both underlined that the timing is not
optimal since France will be taking the EU Presidency in July

2008. Neither Masset nor de la Grandville could say when or
by whom a decision on hosting the conference would be made.
Embassy Recommendation: This decision will be made by
President Sarkozy or Foreign Minister Kouchner. While the
Ministry is hesitant to take this on, they understand a
decision will be taken at the Ministerial or
Presidential level and expect the Secretary to raise it in
her bilateral meetings on December 17. I recommend the
Secretary make a strong and direct push to Kouchner on

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hosting the conference, and raise with Sarkozy what more
France can do militarily in Afghanistan, including deployment
of forces from Kabul to the south. END SUMMARY


2. (C) During meetings with MFA Economic Director Christian
Masset on December 12, Ambassador Wood discussed the
situation in Afghanistan and the need for a donors,
conference. Ambassador Wood highlighted U.S. economic
assistance as proof that the U.S. is fully committed to
success in Afghanistan. Wood stressed the strategic and
humanitarian importance of Afghanistan. Masset, who was
keenly interested in learning Wood's assessment of the
situation on the ground and its impact on upcoming elections,
said he understands the political importance of hosting a
conference in Paris, but called it a "very heavy exercise."
Masset elaborated that the timing poses a problem for the GOF
since they will be taking over the EU presidency in July
2008, but they will "reflect" on the issue.


3. (C) Ambassador Wood also met with Presidential Advisor
for Asia Nicolas de la Grandville on December 12. De la
Grandville, who acknowledged that he recently took over the
Asia portfolio and was not yet an expert, mentioned drugs as
one of France's primary concerns. Ambassador Wood briefed de
la Grandville on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan and
urged the GOF to increase its engagement. De la Grandville
reaffirmed President Sarkozy,s commitment to and interest in
doing more, but he did not provide specifics on how the
French might increase their engagement. In response to
Ambassador Wood's request that France host a donors,
conference, de la Grandville responded that the French are
considering the idea, but it is just before France takes over
the EU Presidency and there are high expectations for France
and for the President.


4. (C) Ambassador's Comment: Following my discussions with
Ambassador Wood, my staff and I believe that senior career
staff understand that France is committed at the political
level to the broad international mission in Afghanistan, but
they have no clear instruction or directions on how to
implement this commitment. These decisions will be made by
Kouchner and Sarkozy. I suggest that the Secretary press
Kouchner to agree to the donor conference and put France in a
leading role regarding humanitarian and development support
for Afghanistan as a strong opener to the French EU
presidency. A decision on
greater military engagement can only come from President
Sarkozy. In her bilat with the President, I recommend the
Secretary explain directly what we would like the GOF to do

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in southern Afghanistan and why. There are rumors in the
press of a possible Sarkozy visit to Kabul in February or
March which the Secretary could ask about, and which would
provide an obvious opportunity for a presidential decision on
deploying additional French forces beyond Kabul.


Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm


STAPLETON