Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MARSEILLE5
2009-03-30 14:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Marseille
Cable title:
MONACO REACHES OUT ON TAX HAVEN COOPERATION
how-toO P 301422Z MAR 09 FM AMCONSUL MARSEILLE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1831 INFO AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY NSC WASHINGTON DC AMCONSUL MARSEILLE DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MARSEILLE 000005
STATE FOR EEB/IFD/OMA AND EUR/WE
TREASURY FOR OIA AND OTP/ITA
NSC FOR HENNESSEY-NILAND
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ECON PREL FR
SUBJECT: MONACO REACHES OUT ON TAX HAVEN COOPERATION
UNCLAS MARSEILLE 000005
STATE FOR EEB/IFD/OMA AND EUR/WE
TREASURY FOR OIA AND OTP/ITA
NSC FOR HENNESSEY-NILAND
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ECON PREL FR
SUBJECT: MONACO REACHES OUT ON TAX HAVEN COOPERATION
1. (SBU) On March 30, Monaco's Minister of State (Prime
Minister-equivalent) Jean-Paul Proust telephoned CG. Proust
said he wanted to pass the message that the Government of Monaco
is fully engaged with the EU on "tax haven" matters already, but
they are also fully disposed to engage on this issue with the
US. He wanted to be sure we know that their negotiations with
the EU are not restrictive and that they are ready to work with
the U.S. directly.
2. (U) In mid-March, the Paris economic daily, Les Echos,
reported that in the run-up to the G20 summit in London, Proust
is leading Monaco's effort to ensure that it is not on the
OECD's tax haven "black list." Les Echos quoted Proust as
saying "The principality is ready to increase its cooperation in
the fight against tax fraud....As soon as there is a suspicion
of money laundering, of a swindle or any kind of fraud
whatsoever, no (banking) secrecy exists."
3. (SBU) Bio Note: Proust, 69, had a long career as a French
civil servant, serving as prefet of the Bouche du Rhone
department and the Rhone-Alps-Cote d'Azure region, covering the
area from Marseille to the Italian border, from 1997 to 1999.
He then became chief of staff to Interior Minister Jean-Pierre
Chevenement, 1999-2000, and subsequently took over
responsibility for the greater Paris police department,
2001-2004. He became Minister of State in Monaco on June 1,
2005. Following the 2002 Monegasque constitutional reform, the
Prince of Monaco no longer has to choose from a list of senior
French civil servants when filling the post, but he still must
consult with the French government before doing so. According
to the press, Proust is close to French presidential advisor,
Henri Guaino. As Prefect of Police of Paris, he had frequent
dealings with Nicolas Sarkozy who was Interior Minister
2002-2004.
RILEY
STATE FOR EEB/IFD/OMA AND EUR/WE
TREASURY FOR OIA AND OTP/ITA
NSC FOR HENNESSEY-NILAND
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ECON PREL FR
SUBJECT: MONACO REACHES OUT ON TAX HAVEN COOPERATION
1. (SBU) On March 30, Monaco's Minister of State (Prime
Minister-equivalent) Jean-Paul Proust telephoned CG. Proust
said he wanted to pass the message that the Government of Monaco
is fully engaged with the EU on "tax haven" matters already, but
they are also fully disposed to engage on this issue with the
US. He wanted to be sure we know that their negotiations with
the EU are not restrictive and that they are ready to work with
the U.S. directly.
2. (U) In mid-March, the Paris economic daily, Les Echos,
reported that in the run-up to the G20 summit in London, Proust
is leading Monaco's effort to ensure that it is not on the
OECD's tax haven "black list." Les Echos quoted Proust as
saying "The principality is ready to increase its cooperation in
the fight against tax fraud....As soon as there is a suspicion
of money laundering, of a swindle or any kind of fraud
whatsoever, no (banking) secrecy exists."
3. (SBU) Bio Note: Proust, 69, had a long career as a French
civil servant, serving as prefet of the Bouche du Rhone
department and the Rhone-Alps-Cote d'Azure region, covering the
area from Marseille to the Italian border, from 1997 to 1999.
He then became chief of staff to Interior Minister Jean-Pierre
Chevenement, 1999-2000, and subsequently took over
responsibility for the greater Paris police department,
2001-2004. He became Minister of State in Monaco on June 1,
2005. Following the 2002 Monegasque constitutional reform, the
Prince of Monaco no longer has to choose from a list of senior
French civil servants when filling the post, but he still must
consult with the French government before doing so. According
to the press, Proust is close to French presidential advisor,
Henri Guaino. As Prefect of Police of Paris, he had frequent
dealings with Nicolas Sarkozy who was Interior Minister
2002-2004.
RILEY