FRANCE AND RUSSIA: PRIME MINISTERS TO MEET IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001750 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018 TAGS: PREL RS GG FR SUBJECT: FRANCE AND RUSSIA: PRIME MINISTERS TO MEET IN SOCHI BUT NOT FOR "BUSINESS AS USUAL" Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Late on September 17, FM Kouchner's adviser on Russia/Georgia/the Balkans Isabelle Dumont told us that a French FM Fillon would go to Sochi September 19-20 for a "governmental seminar" in Sochi where he would also meet Russian PM Putin. The event, scheduled before the Georgia crisis, was to have had a strong economic/business focus. After internal discussions, the GOF had decided to carry on with the meeting as scheduled but to reduce the footprint. The reasoning was that France in its role as EU Presidency has engaged strongly with Russia to work for a solution to the Georgia crisis, so France could not simultaneously put a freeze on bilateral relations. Moreover, the scope of the meeting was adjusted with the addition of a more political agenda including dialogue on Georgia and EU-Russia. ¶2. (C) On September 18, desk officer for Russia Gilles Lelong provided more detail on the agenda, which he said will provide France above all with the opportunity to reinforce political messages relating to the Georgia crisis, especially the need for Russia to cooperate fully on implementation of the six-point plan and France's strong condemnation of Russia's unilateral recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The other agenda items build on the G7 strategy of constructive engagement with Russia, and will focus on climate, energy efficiency, food security, rule of law, and civil society. Lelong elaborated that an agreement will be signed regarding implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, but there will be no new energy-related contracts. He also said that France will seek to promote youth and civil society exchanges leading up to the "Annee Croisee" of dedicated cultural exchanges between Russia and France in 2010. ¶3. (C) Post also followed up with Dumont, Arnaud Barthelemy and Emmanuel Mignon in the PM,s office, and the Elysee to emphasize that while we appreciate French leadership in the Georgia crisis, we are concerned that the Fillon visit will convey an unintended image of "business as usual," particularly since Russia had failed to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. All four stressed that Fillon,s message to the Russians would reinforce President Sarkozy,s diplomatic effort and commented that we should not cut off all dialogue with the Russians. Dumont added that the French participation would sharpen the choice for the Russians between the benefits of compliance with international standards and the costs of failure to abide by those standards. As evidence of the latter, this long-planned meeting would not be a high-profile endorsement of business contracts; in fact France and French businesses would be forgoing opportunities as a result of the changed circumstances brought on by Russian actions in Abkhazia and ¶S. Ossetia. We urged the French to make their views on the need for full compliance and their support for territorial integrity of Georgia clear in any public statements they might make. We also urged them to make clear that this visit does not represent "business as usual." ¶4. (C) PM Advisor Mignon also mentioned that Fillon will be traveling to Georgia in the coming weeks, wearing the Presidency hat. The date has not been fixed, but will happen before the donor,s conference. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce STAPLETON