Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS936
2008-05-15 14:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH ACCEPT USG DECISION ON UNAMID VEHICLES FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #0936 1361420 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151420Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3037 INFO RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 1489 RUEHOU/AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU PRIORITY 1083 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1511
UNCLAS PARIS 000936
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ACCEPT USG DECISION ON UNAMID VEHICLES FOR
BURKINA FASO
REF: STATE 49780
(SBU) MFA DAS-equivalent Christine Fages discussed reftel
demarche on May 15, saying that the GOF understood and
accepted the USG decision not to help finance French-sourced
VABs for use by Burkina Faso as part of its contribution to
UNAMID. She said that the euro-based price of the VABs
increased their cost to the U.S. as the euro continued its
rise against the dollar, despite French efforts to reduce the
price. She remarked that it seemed inevitable that the
drawn-out effort to come to an arrangement over them would
end in another solution. Fages noted, however, that the
Casspir vehicles selected by the USG were not as good as the
French vehicles. The GOF would face some difficulties in
undoing what had already been done with the VABs but she said
this would eventually be worked out. She referred to some
"housekeeping" that would have to take place in New York with
the UN in terms of France's offer to assist Burkina Faso.
Fages suggested that the French Presidency might be slightly
irked by the USG decision, as the Presidency had been highly
interested in helping assist Burkina Faso's participation in
UNAMID, but she said "don't worry, we're not about to make a
fuss with the U.S. over this kind of issue. You made your
decision, we understand the reasons for it, and we'll all
move on."
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ACCEPT USG DECISION ON UNAMID VEHICLES FOR
BURKINA FASO
REF: STATE 49780
(SBU) MFA DAS-equivalent Christine Fages discussed reftel
demarche on May 15, saying that the GOF understood and
accepted the USG decision not to help finance French-sourced
VABs for use by Burkina Faso as part of its contribution to
UNAMID. She said that the euro-based price of the VABs
increased their cost to the U.S. as the euro continued its
rise against the dollar, despite French efforts to reduce the
price. She remarked that it seemed inevitable that the
drawn-out effort to come to an arrangement over them would
end in another solution. Fages noted, however, that the
Casspir vehicles selected by the USG were not as good as the
French vehicles. The GOF would face some difficulties in
undoing what had already been done with the VABs but she said
this would eventually be worked out. She referred to some
"housekeeping" that would have to take place in New York with
the UN in terms of France's offer to assist Burkina Faso.
Fages suggested that the French Presidency might be slightly
irked by the USG decision, as the Presidency had been highly
interested in helping assist Burkina Faso's participation in
UNAMID, but she said "don't worry, we're not about to make a
fuss with the U.S. over this kind of issue. You made your
decision, we understand the reasons for it, and we'll all
move on."
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON