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