Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS1942
2008-10-22 16:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

USDP EDELMAN'S CONSULTATIONS IN PARIS, OCTOBER 16

Tags:  PREL MOPS AF PA IS IZ LE SY IR TU FR 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 001942 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS AF PA IS IZ LE SY IR TU FR
SUBJECT: USDP EDELMAN'S CONSULTATIONS IN PARIS, OCTOBER 16

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reas
ons 1.4 b and d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 001942

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS AF PA IS IZ LE SY IR TU FR
SUBJECT: USDP EDELMAN'S CONSULTATIONS IN PARIS, OCTOBER 16

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen Allegrone for reas
ons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) Summary. On October 16, Under Secretary of Defense
for Policy (USDP) Eric Edelman met with GOF officials
Michel Miraillet, Director of Strategic Affairs at the
Defense Ministry, and Philippe Errera, Strategic Affairs
Advisor to Foreign Minister Kouchner. They agreed on the
importance of counternarcotics cooperation in Afghanistan,
and constructively engaging Pakistan. Concurring on the need
to maintain pressure on Syria, USDP Edelman and Miraillet
also exchanged views on Iraq, piracy, and Iran. Finally,
they agreed to meet in a more formal format in November in
Washington, institutionalizing exchanges that the next U.S.
administration can then continue. In a brief discussion of
Russia/Georgia, MFA Russia expert Roland Galharague commented
on Sarkozy,s proposal for an OSCE Summit by the end of 2009
and expressed a desire for planning to be endorsed at the
December 2008 Ministerial. End Summary.

AFGHANISTAN


2. (C) USDP Edelman and Miraillet agreed on the importance
of intensifying counternarcotics operations, including
increasing guidance to troops on interdiction missions,
keeping an Afghan face on counternarcotics operations, and
maintaining pressure on Afghan President Karzai to confront
drug traffickers. Miraillet expressed doubt that Karzai
will confront drug traffickers, saying the Afghan President
is preoccupied with his own political career. Errera and
Miraillet also expressed concern about reconciliation noting
in particular recent leaks about Saudi mediation. Edelman
said some Afghan government officials are serious about
reconciliation. He and Errera agreed that new Interior
Minister Atmar is a promising leader.


3. (C) Mirailet noted that President Sarkozy's top military
advisor, Admiral Guillaud, recently traveled to
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and delivered Afghan National
Director of Security Saleh an "extremely tough" message
from President Sarkozy about the need for intelligence

sharing. Errera mentioned Kouchner's disappointment with the
lackluster EU POL mission and France's efforts to increase
support during its EU presidency. Errera also assured
Edelman that Kouchner's initiative to convene an informal
neighbors meeting is to be undertaken in full transparency
with the UK and U.S.

PAKISTAN


4. (C) Miraillet noted that Pakistan's Army Chief General
Kayani told Admiral Guillaud that the U.S. had delivered a
very blunt message about containing ISI activity. However,
all agreed the message may not bear results. Edelman
commented that there has been some Pakistani
counterinsurgency activity on the frontier, but no diminution
of insurgent activity, and that while the U.S. is training
the Frontier Corps, the training is nowhere near the border,
at the Pakistani government's insistence.


5. (C) Miraillet asked whether the U.S. was concerned about
technology transfer in the sale of F-16s to
Pakistan. He cited an incident regarding French missile
sales to Pakistan in which Chinese copies appeared on the
market shortly thereafter. Edelman said no specific reason
for concern has arisen thus far. He noted that the U.S.
Congress was seriously scrutinizing weapons sales to
Pakistan. Miraillet's regional adviser Isabelle Saint-Mezard
said that despite keeping a distance from the West regarding
Pakistan policies, the French believe China may nonetheless
exert pressure on Islamabad from behind the scenes.

GEORGIA


6. (C) MFA A/S for Continental Europe Roland Galharague
described Sarkozy's unexpected initiative to hold an OSCE
summit on security (at Evian, October 15) as a means to
counter and shape Russian calls for a new European security
architecture. Describing Medvedev's initiative as a
throwback to the Soviet era, Galharague said Sarkozy wanted
to put it in a context where other issues (human rights,
etc.) would be discussed and where there would be no
question of changing competencies of existing security
arrangements in NATO and elsewhere. French thinking also

PARIS 00001942 002 OF 002


takes account of the nature of Russia's intervention in
Georgia, which France now believes looks more and more like a
one-time event. Displaying a willingness to work with those
in Russia who share that view could help strengthen their
hand, Galharaque concluded by noting that France hopes the
December 2008 OSCE ministerial will endorse Sarkozy's idea
- for a summit 12 months hence.

LEBANON AND SYRIA


7. (C) Edelman noted recent DoD exchanges with Lebanese
counterparts, in addition to President Sleiman's "good" visit
to Washington and a trip to Beirut by Gen. Petraeus.
Miraillet asked whether we tracked our contributions to the
LAF; Edelman responded that our assistance is in-kind and
that we have not uncovered serious problems, but that we
track sensitive items. Miraillet said Syrian military
movements on Lebanon's northern border are "not really" of
concern, partly because Syrian equipment is in very bad
shape. He said President Sarkozy delivered a "very blunt"
message to the Syrians, in front of the Qataris. He also
said the establishment by Syria of diplomatic relations with
Lebanon was due to international pressure and should not be
taken for granted. Both Edelman and Miraillet agreed on the
need to keep scrutiny and pressure on the Syrians. Miraillet
summed up by noting France's relations with Syria are
improving slightly but that Paris is proceeding with great
caution.

PIRACY


8. (C) Miraillet noted the EU is very close to an agreement
in which the UK would head its first ESDP
mission, a maritime counter-piracy mission off the Horn of
Africa. He expressed his satisfaction at British
willingness to lead this mission, which he said is likely
directed by Gordon Brown's office. The headquarters
structure remains to be decided, and some member-states have
potential legal problems prosecuting any pirates they
might apprehend, but the mission will likely be formalized at
the November GAERC. Edelman and Miraillet agreed that
discussions at NATO are going well and that cooperation is
taking shape.

IRAN


9. (C) Edelman, Errera and Miraillet concurred that
financial pressure on the Iranians seems to be bearing
fruit. Miraillet noted that the financial crisis, and
lowered oil prices, also seems to be having a good impact.
He said the international community can't expect anything
more from the UN Security Council on Iran, due to Russia's
public ambivalence. Miraillet offered to send the French
Ambassador in Tehran to Washington if consultations would
be useful. He noted that some in the West are tuning out the
Iran issue due to "fatigue" since the issue has been
under discussion for some time, despite the increasing
urgency as the timeline to an Iranian nuclear capability
grows ever-shorter. Miraillet said that Gulf states in
particular are becoming increasingly nervous about Iran.

FUTURE EXCHANGES


10. (C) Miraillet said that Defense Minister Morin will
invite Secretary Gates to France sometime before January.
USDP and Miraillet agreed to pursue "two plus two" bilateral
consultations that in principle would involve political
director-equivalents from both the MOD and MFA (DOD and
State),meeting formally twice a year to help the new
administration continue with frequent, fruitful exchanges.
The next meeting will take place in Washington in the
November 17 timeframe, with Miraillet attending for the MOD
and either Jacques Audibert (A/S-equivalent for
Strategic Affairs) or Gerard Araud (Political Director)
attending for the MFA. Edelman agreed to reach out to
other U.S. officials such as U/S Burns, U/S Rood, A/S Fried
and A/S Boucher to feed into the discussions.


11. (U) This cable was cleared by U/S Edelman.

STAPLETON