FRENCH INTEREST IN IOSEA (TURTLE) MOU

UNCLAS PARIS 000215

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES;USDOC FOR NOAA; BRUSSELS FOR US'ELL, ATTN ESTH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: FR SENV TBIO
SUBJECT: FRENCH INTEREST IN IOSEA (TURTLE) MOU


1.(U) Following receipt of a query from NOAA and OES, ESTH
Officer met separately in January with Mr. Stephane Louhaur,
MFA Directorate of environment, and Ms. Martine Bigan,
Ministry of Ecology, both responsible for marine life and
oceans international issues, to discuss French views on
whether France might consider signing the IOSEA MOU (Indian
Ocean Southeast Asia Memorandum of Understanding) for marine
conservation.

2.(U) Both French officers indicated that the French
Government was positively disposed to the MOU, however, they
are awaiting views from the EU. According to these officers,
France had officially requested EU views some three years ago
noting French interest in the IOSEA MOU. To reinvigorate
this initiative France has recently sent a reminder to
responsible officials in the DG environment in Brussels, who
according to the Ecology Ministry are in favor of the MOU,
reminding them of the previous letter. Mr. Louhaur
cautioned, however, that the GOF is unsure when a reply will
be received. The Emabassy plans to re-contact both the MFA
and Ecology Ministry in due course to pursue this matter
again.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm


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