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 STAPLETON