Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS922
2007-03-09 16:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
SOME FRENCH THOUGHTS ON U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLANS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #0922 0681641 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091641Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5505 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 5769 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000922
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/PRA; EUR/WE; ISN, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL NATO FR
SUBJECT: SOME FRENCH THOUGHTS ON U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLANS
IN EUROPE
REF: A) STATE 26910 B) USNATO 133
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1
.4 B/D
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000922
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/PRA; EUR/WE; ISN, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL NATO FR
SUBJECT: SOME FRENCH THOUGHTS ON U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLANS
IN EUROPE
REF: A) STATE 26910 B) USNATO 133
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1
.4 B/D
1. (C) On March 9, in a follow-up to ref B missile defense
discussions at NATO, and in the absence of MFA DAS-equivalent
Director for Nonproliferation Philippe Errera, we met with
Melanie Rosselet and Luis Vassy, nonproliferation desk
officers at the MFA. Vassy noted that France understood U.S.
missile defense objectives, but that it stood by its own
autonomous defense doctrine/force. He added that the French
were keeping a low profile on the potential deployment of
interceptors and corresponding radar in Poland and the Czech
Republic, which they viewed as a bilateral issue between the
U.S. and each of these countries. France nonetheless had
appreciated the briefings provided at NATO, and MFA officials
were looking forward to further discussions with General
Obering on March 16 in Paris.
2. (C) Vassy and Rosselet said the MFA remained curious as to
how we viewed missile defense with respect to the upcoming
NPT Prepcom discussions, as well as other arms
control/nonproliferation treaties. More significantly, Vassy
and Rosselet expressed interest in learning about U.S. views
on the linkage between the U.S. missile program and NATO's
own missile defense planning, especially with respect to the
question of command and control. We noted that they could be
complementary, but suggested they wait for General Obering's
upcoming briefing for further details.
3. (C) Using ref A guidance, as well as General Obering's
comments before the Foreign Press Center on February 22 in
Washington, we addressed some of Rosselet's questions, such
as how the U.S. envisioned handling potential debris and
likely construction completion dates.
4. (C) Vassy also noted Russian objections to the location of
our proposed missile defense in central Europe, but agreed
that Russia had been amply briefed. He observed, however,
that Russian reactions will need to be carefully addressed.
It also would be interesting to see how the Chinese view the
missile defense debate, he added.
5. (C) Comment: Separately, we note that President Chirac
during the press conference following the European Council
meeting warned against "the creation of new dividing lines in
Europe or a situation in which each country goes its own
way." It will be interesting to see how the MFA folds this
perspective into its discussions with General Obering. End
comment.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/PRA; EUR/WE; ISN, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL NATO FR
SUBJECT: SOME FRENCH THOUGHTS ON U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE PLANS
IN EUROPE
REF: A) STATE 26910 B) USNATO 133
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1
.4 B/D
1. (C) On March 9, in a follow-up to ref B missile defense
discussions at NATO, and in the absence of MFA DAS-equivalent
Director for Nonproliferation Philippe Errera, we met with
Melanie Rosselet and Luis Vassy, nonproliferation desk
officers at the MFA. Vassy noted that France understood U.S.
missile defense objectives, but that it stood by its own
autonomous defense doctrine/force. He added that the French
were keeping a low profile on the potential deployment of
interceptors and corresponding radar in Poland and the Czech
Republic, which they viewed as a bilateral issue between the
U.S. and each of these countries. France nonetheless had
appreciated the briefings provided at NATO, and MFA officials
were looking forward to further discussions with General
Obering on March 16 in Paris.
2. (C) Vassy and Rosselet said the MFA remained curious as to
how we viewed missile defense with respect to the upcoming
NPT Prepcom discussions, as well as other arms
control/nonproliferation treaties. More significantly, Vassy
and Rosselet expressed interest in learning about U.S. views
on the linkage between the U.S. missile program and NATO's
own missile defense planning, especially with respect to the
question of command and control. We noted that they could be
complementary, but suggested they wait for General Obering's
upcoming briefing for further details.
3. (C) Using ref A guidance, as well as General Obering's
comments before the Foreign Press Center on February 22 in
Washington, we addressed some of Rosselet's questions, such
as how the U.S. envisioned handling potential debris and
likely construction completion dates.
4. (C) Vassy also noted Russian objections to the location of
our proposed missile defense in central Europe, but agreed
that Russia had been amply briefed. He observed, however,
that Russian reactions will need to be carefully addressed.
It also would be interesting to see how the Chinese view the
missile defense debate, he added.
5. (C) Comment: Separately, we note that President Chirac
during the press conference following the European Council
meeting warned against "the creation of new dividing lines in
Europe or a situation in which each country goes its own
way." It will be interesting to see how the MFA folds this
perspective into its discussions with General Obering. End
comment.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON