FRENCH RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001275 SIPDIS FOR EUR/RPM, T E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019 TAGS: MARR PREL NATO FR SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT ON MISSILE DEFENSE REF: A. STATE 96526 ¶B. STATE 96550 Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On September 17, Post forwarded the points provided in reftel A as instructed to select French contacts in the MFA and Elysee, just prior to President Obama's announcement on missile defense. We then followed up with Patrick Maisonnave, the new Director of Strategic Affairs at the MFA (A/S-equivalent),to deliver the ref A points which were releasable to NATO allies. Maisonnave expressed appreciation, both for the initial head's up and for our immediate follow-up to respond to questions on the new USG missile defense strategy, noting that communication with Allies was very important. Maisonnave added that while he could not provide an official response until after French officials have had an opportunity to review the information in further detail, the French initial reaction was positive. He welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue further within NATO, including at the October 22-23 informal defense ministerial meeting in Bratislava. He also cautioned that the change from the previous fixed site program based in Poland and Czech Republic would likely give rise to a "very emotional" response from some of our Central European Allies, who may view the decision as a weakening of U.S. support for their security interests. Finally, DAS-equivalent Muriel Domenach who attended the meeting, noted that France remains wary of any commitment to a NATO-wide MD system as there is no money available to pay for it. RIVKIN