FRANCE TV COOP

UNCLAS PARIS 000499

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/WE, R, PA/OBS/BSP:SANTULLI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC OIIP KPAO FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE TV COOP

REF: 06 PARIS 7510

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SHOWCASING THE AMERICAN-FRENCH RELATIONSHIP
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1. France 3, a regional state television channel, will send a team
led by Serge Guynier, anchor for France 3's Aquitaine news shows,
who has extensive experience in the U.S. and speaks fluent English.
He will be assisted by Thierry Julien and Jean Marc Ceccaldi. They
will focus on the following stories, which will be shown as part of
France 3's upcoming "America Week" in the late summer.

-- Bordeaux/Los Angeles sister cities relationship, highlighting the
fact that Bordeaux was the first city in the world to host a U.S.
Consulate.

-- The relationship between the Aquitaine, home to France's
"high-tech" industries, and Silicon Valley, including ties between
the laser research conducted at Livermore and the laser "Megajoule
du Barp."

-- Parallels between the wine country of Bordeaux and California. A
spotlight on Caudalie, its famous skin-care products based on grapes
and their export to the U.S.

-- French fashion in Los Angeles.

-- The restaurant business, French cuisine in America, the "French
touch."

-- The surfing industry, including the image of Aquitaine as the
"California of Europe" and an exploration of what that entails.

-- Aquitaine natives playing in the National Basketball Association
(Boris Diaw, the Pietrus brothers, etc.).

-- We would also suggest adding a "green California" component on
all the measures California (and the U.S.) are taking to encourage
environmental responsibility.


2. These programs, focused on the links between France and the U.S.
using local examples from the Bordeaux region and California, have
full Post support. Embassy Paris will coordinate with APP Bordeaux
to create additional French media attention showcasing this "America
Week" programming in advance of it airing in late summer.
HOFMANN