SARKOZY AND MBEKI DISCUSS IRAN, MIDDLE EAST, G-8

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000516 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S, EUR/WE PARIS FOR R. KANEDA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2018 TAGS: PREL SF FR SUBJECT: SARKOZY AND MBEKI DISCUSS IRAN, MIDDLE EAST, G-8 EXPANSION REF: A. PARIS 0432 ¶B. PRETORIA 0440 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4( b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During their February 28 meeting in Cape Town, French President Sarkozy and South African President Mbeki discussed the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East peace process, the situation in Darfur, and the "democratization" of international institutions, specifically the expansion of the G-8 and UNSC, according to Pretoria-based French diplomat Charles Tellier (protect). Tellier told PolOff March 10 that Sarkozy and Mbeki did not/not discuss Comoros, Chad, or Zimbabwe, although the issues were discussed by aides on the margins of the visit. Sarkozy and Mbeki debated the UNSC vote on Iranian sanctions "at length," and the French Embassy believes this played some role in the South African decision to vote in favor of UNSCR 1803. Mbeki was also keen to discuss the Middle East peace process, an issue close to the heart of the ruling ANC. ¶2. (C) As described in Ref A, President Sarkozy's speech to Parliament in Cape Town, in which he outlined his new Africa policy, was well received by the South Africans. One European diplomat who attended the address sarcastically called it a "lovefest," even accusing Sarkozy of "pandering" to his South African audience. Sarkozy hit on several favorite Mbeki themes: -- "humbly" accepting blame for the "crimes that were committed and mistakes made" during the colonial era; -- embracing Mbeki's "African Renaissance" rhetoric; -- emphasizing the French goal of "democratizing" international institutions, including the French proposal to "transform" the G-8 into the G-13, which would include South Africa, and to expand the UNSC, strongly hinting that South Africa would be a French choice for permanent membership; and -- noting the stresses that African migration imposes both on Europe and on South Africa (NOTE: a sensitive issue for South Africa, which receives one-quarter of all migrant populations in Africa END NOTE). ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Sarkozy's visit to South Africa played well and helped lay the groundwork for deeper South African-French cooperation on a range of issues. Sarkozy's promises to assist with South Africa's energy crisis could not have been better timed, following a series of rolling blackouts around the country, but they were also aimed at advocating for Areva's bid (against Westinghouse) for a major upcoming nuclear reactor contract (ref B). The French commitment to enlarging the G-8 and hints on supporting South Africa for permanent UNSC membership were music to South African ears. Sarkozy's visit is the latest in a series of high-profile trips to South Africa by world leaders over the last two years: German Chancellor Merkel visited in October 2007, U.K. PM Blair in May 2007, Indian PM Singh in October 2006, Russian President Putin in September 2006, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in June 2006. The SAG greatly values such visits -- which they regard as signs of respect -- even if they are more show than substance. END COMMENT. BOST