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

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