Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS1893
2008-10-15 17:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRANCE PROPOSES INFORMAL MEETING OF AFGHANISTAN'S

Tags:  PREL AF FR UZ TI TX IR PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #1893/01 2891722
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151722Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4516
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0198
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1805
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 0382
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 0066
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0792
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0695
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 0282
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001893 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: PREL AF FR UZ TI TX IR PK
SUBJECT: FRANCE PROPOSES INFORMAL MEETING OF AFGHANISTAN'S
NEIGHBORS FOR END NOVEMBER

REF: A. PARIS POINTS FOR SEPTEMBER 23

B. 2008

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001893

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: PREL AF FR UZ TI TX IR PK
SUBJECT: FRANCE PROPOSES INFORMAL MEETING OF AFGHANISTAN'S
NEIGHBORS FOR END NOVEMBER

REF: A. PARIS POINTS FOR SEPTEMBER 23

B. 2008

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for
reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 7.


2. (C) Summary. On October 15, Pol M/C met with Philippe
Errera, Strategic Affairs advisor to FM Kouchner, to discuss
the French proposal for a meeting to discuss regional
cooperation among Afghanistan's neighbors. Errera apologized
that the initiative was publicized in the French press before
GOF officials were able to consult Kabul and key allies. He
assured us that Paris was not/not proposing creation of a new
international forum, but rather a one-time informal meeting
to address regional issues such as counternarcotics,
counterinsurgency, infrastructure and energy and regional
trade. The idea originated in some of the bilateral meetings
that France hosted during the EU-Central Asia forum in
September and the GOF would welcome our input on format,
themes, outcomes and participants, although they have
sketched out some preliminary suggestions, noted in further
detail below. End summary.

--------------
CONTEXT
--------------


3. (C) Errera noted that all countries interested in
Afghanistan have put forward the idea of improving regional
cooperation as one way to further political and economic
development. He emphasized that this element was also
included in the Bucharest NATO summit's conclusions earlier
this year. He clarified that the GOF had no/no intention of
creating a new international forum on Afghanistan, but merely
to host a one-time informal discussion to draw attention to
practical regional proposals. The initiative is also an
effort to demonstrate to the European audience (and French
public) that efforts are being made to address the broader
strategy of political and economic development, as well as to
improve security via an augmented military operation. This
was an important element in France's recent parliamentary
debate to reauthorize deployment of French troops in
Afghanistan (ref a). Errera regretted that the initiative
was publicized in the French press before the GOF had an

opportunity to consult with Kabul and key allies, noting
ruefully that he himself learned of the proposal in the press
as it had not been vetted within the French bureaucracy
before the announcement appeared. Errera has since traveled
to London to brief UK allies, and noted that the French
embassies in Washington and Kabul had provided additional
information to key interlocutors yesterday in their
respective cities.

--------------
SUGGESTED THEMES/PARTICIPANTS
--------------


4. (C) Errera stated that the GOF would be happy to work
with us to identify common challenges that could be addressed
in this type of informal meeting. Paris was considering
counternarcotics, counter-insurgency efforts, infrastructure,
energy and regional trade (the latter suggested by the UK) as
possible themes for the meeting. He emphasized that the
meeting would not/not address the issue of reconciliation,
which is a sensitive subject that must be led by Afghanistan.
Errera informed us that there was no intent to establish a
"Friends of Afghanistan" type of forum or to host a
full-fledged conference. Rather, their hopes are that the
meeting would give political impetus to concrete regional
projects.


5. (C) Errera acknowledged that there was "no good answer"
to the question of which countries should participate in the
meeting. The GOF wants to focus on countries that share a
common border with Afghanistan, namely: Pakistan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and possibly China. Errera
said that the question of Chinese participation was an open
one, noting that the Chinese had "torpedoed" the "Friends of
Pakistan" meeting on the margins of the UNGA; however, it was
better to invite them than not. He speculated that it may be
best to have the meeting take place under the auspices of the
UN and the P5, so they could include countries such as the
U.S. and U.K. which have huge stakes in the region, but would
not open the meeting to all interested non-neighbors.
Responding to our question, he said the French share a
concern about inviting Iran at a time when we are also
isolating Iran for its failure to cooperate on the nuclear
issue, but believe it best to include them, in part because
the Afghans would insist and in part because it would show
them what they are missing by pursuing the nuclear path. The
French would host the meeting in their capacity as President
of the EU and would therefore want to include the European
Commission. The GOF would also like to invite UN Special
Representative Kai Eide. The meeting would take place at the
FM's residence in St. Cloud, with mid- to late-November as
the likely time frame.

--------------
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
--------------


6. (C) Errera said that the GOF did not anticipate formal
conclusions at the end of the meeting; however, they were
open to issuing a Chairman's statement or summary, or
reaching agreement on some key points (either publicly or
privately). He reiterated that there was no/no long term
plan for follow-on meetings; the goal is merely to provide a
useful stepping stone to further regional cooperation.
Errera concluded the meeting by expressing strong interest in
USG views and input.


7. (C) Comment and action request. After a public launch
that caught everyone (including France's own bureaucracy) by
surprise, the MFA has made an effort to respond to our
concerns and requests for further information. We emphasized
that Washington's initial and informal reaction had not been
favorable, noted that the reaction of the government of
Afghanistan would be a critical element to this proposal and
promised to pass the above readout to Washington as soon as
possible. Given the short time frame that the GOF is
proposing to organize such a meeting, our opportunity to
approve, reject or help shape this proposal is limited and
post would appreciate guidance soonest to respond to the
above points. End Comment.


STAPLETON