FRENCH ACCEPT USG DECISION ON UNAMID VEHICLES FOR

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