Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS1438
2009-10-26 17:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF
how-toVZCZCXRO0321 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHFR #1438 2991713 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 261713Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7419 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001438
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: ENRG PGOV PINS PREL SA KU AEC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF
REF: PARIS 1417
Classified By: Classified by A/DCM Kathleen H. Allegrone for Reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001438
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: ENRG PGOV PINS PREL SA KU AEC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF
REF: PARIS 1417
Classified By: Classified by A/DCM Kathleen H. Allegrone for Reasons 1.
4 b and d.
1. (C) The French Presidency's Counselor for North Africa
and the Middle East, Nicolas Galey, discussed French
activities in the Arabian Gulf with PolMinCouns and poloff on
October 22. Galey said President Sarkozy will visit Saudi
Arabia November 17 to 19 to highlight the importance of this
bilateral relationship. Saudi Arabia will be the only stop
on this trip. The Government of France (GOF) has not yet
decided who will accompany Sarkozy on the trip, or whether
business leaders will be included: however, the trip will
certainly include meetings with King Abdullah.
UAE: FRENCH PRESSING FOR CIVILIAN NUCLEAR CONTRACT
--------------
2. (C) The trip is part of Sarkozy's effort to establish
strong relations with Gulf countries such as the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) where France opened a military base earlier in
2009. The GOF is strongly advocating for the French company
Areva, which is competing to supply the UAE with civilian
nuclear power equipment. Galey said a South Korean bid is
currently favored to win the contract, although the GOF feels
the Koreans are offering an unproven proto-type of antiquated
technology that is not as safe as their own, per reftel.
Galey said most other Gulf countries have also expressed
interest in pursuing civilian nuclear programs. The GOF
would require any country it supplied with equipment to sign
a document of cooperation to help prevent unintended use of
the system.
KUWAIT: POSSIBLY BUYING RAFALES
--------------
3. (SBU) Galey said Kuwait has also shown recent signs of
interest in defense cooperation with France. The Kuwaiti
Defense Minister and first Vice Prime Minister Sheik Jaber
Moubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah recently told the GOF that his
country is interested in buying Rafale fighter jets.
Al-Sabah said Kuwait hoped for an offer very soon and that it
would be studied very seriously. Sarkozy traveled to Kuwait
in February and announced that France would pursue this
contract in the traditional stronghold for U.S. military
sales.
RIVKIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019
TAGS: ENRG PGOV PINS PREL SA KU AEC FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF
REF: PARIS 1417
Classified By: Classified by A/DCM Kathleen H. Allegrone for Reasons 1.
4 b and d.
1. (C) The French Presidency's Counselor for North Africa
and the Middle East, Nicolas Galey, discussed French
activities in the Arabian Gulf with PolMinCouns and poloff on
October 22. Galey said President Sarkozy will visit Saudi
Arabia November 17 to 19 to highlight the importance of this
bilateral relationship. Saudi Arabia will be the only stop
on this trip. The Government of France (GOF) has not yet
decided who will accompany Sarkozy on the trip, or whether
business leaders will be included: however, the trip will
certainly include meetings with King Abdullah.
UAE: FRENCH PRESSING FOR CIVILIAN NUCLEAR CONTRACT
--------------
2. (C) The trip is part of Sarkozy's effort to establish
strong relations with Gulf countries such as the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) where France opened a military base earlier in
2009. The GOF is strongly advocating for the French company
Areva, which is competing to supply the UAE with civilian
nuclear power equipment. Galey said a South Korean bid is
currently favored to win the contract, although the GOF feels
the Koreans are offering an unproven proto-type of antiquated
technology that is not as safe as their own, per reftel.
Galey said most other Gulf countries have also expressed
interest in pursuing civilian nuclear programs. The GOF
would require any country it supplied with equipment to sign
a document of cooperation to help prevent unintended use of
the system.
KUWAIT: POSSIBLY BUYING RAFALES
--------------
3. (SBU) Galey said Kuwait has also shown recent signs of
interest in defense cooperation with France. The Kuwaiti
Defense Minister and first Vice Prime Minister Sheik Jaber
Moubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah recently told the GOF that his
country is interested in buying Rafale fighter jets.
Al-Sabah said Kuwait hoped for an offer very soon and that it
would be studied very seriously. Sarkozy traveled to Kuwait
in February and announced that France would pursue this
contract in the traditional stronghold for U.S. military
sales.
RIVKIN