Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS1686
2009-12-14 15:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON ERITREA
how-toVZCZCXRO5445 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHFR #1686 3481504 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141504Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7833 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMCSUU/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001686
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2019
TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON ERITREA
REF: STATE 125228
Classified By: Andrew Young, Political Counselor, 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001686
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2019
TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON ERITREA
REF: STATE 125228
Classified By: Andrew Young, Political Counselor, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) MFA IO desk officer Teymouraz Gorjestani on December
11 told us that the GOF had agreed to support the Ugandan
draft UNSC resolution that contained provisions for imposing
targeted sanctions on Eritrea (reftel). He mentioned that
the GOF preferred that one individual, whom he described as a
senior close advisor to the Eritrean leadership, should not
be sanctioned because he was a useful conduit to Eritrea's
leadership and because sanctioning this individual would
likely shut down this channel of communications. Based on
his understanding of France-U.S. consultations in New York,
Gorjestani believed that the U.S. also agreed on the need not
to sanction this individual Gorjestani did not confirm the
identity of this individual.
2. (C) Gorjestani noted that French policy ultimately to
support the draft UNSC resolution evolved between December 10
and December 11 based the recommendation of France,s UN
mission and subsequent endorsement by "senior levels" of the
MFA in Paris. On December 10, Gorjestani that France was
willing to sanction Eritreans for their conduct concerning
Somalia but not for their conduct concerning Djibouti. He
said that France wanted to separate the two cases and did not
want to press Eritrea over Djibouti because of France's
defense relationship with Djibouti and because of Eritrea's
possible ability to assist with the French official who had
been kidnapped in Somalia earlier this year (and who remains
in confinement). Gorjestani told us on December 11, however,
that France had decided to support the draft resolution with
respect to Eritrea's activities concerning both Somalia and
Djibouti. Comment: This evolution in the French position
underscores how close collaboration with France at the UN and
in capitals does result in favorable outcomes for U.S.
interests.
RIVKIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2019
TAGS: PREL UNSC PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON ERITREA
REF: STATE 125228
Classified By: Andrew Young, Political Counselor, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) MFA IO desk officer Teymouraz Gorjestani on December
11 told us that the GOF had agreed to support the Ugandan
draft UNSC resolution that contained provisions for imposing
targeted sanctions on Eritrea (reftel). He mentioned that
the GOF preferred that one individual, whom he described as a
senior close advisor to the Eritrean leadership, should not
be sanctioned because he was a useful conduit to Eritrea's
leadership and because sanctioning this individual would
likely shut down this channel of communications. Based on
his understanding of France-U.S. consultations in New York,
Gorjestani believed that the U.S. also agreed on the need not
to sanction this individual Gorjestani did not confirm the
identity of this individual.
2. (C) Gorjestani noted that French policy ultimately to
support the draft UNSC resolution evolved between December 10
and December 11 based the recommendation of France,s UN
mission and subsequent endorsement by "senior levels" of the
MFA in Paris. On December 10, Gorjestani that France was
willing to sanction Eritreans for their conduct concerning
Somalia but not for their conduct concerning Djibouti. He
said that France wanted to separate the two cases and did not
want to press Eritrea over Djibouti because of France's
defense relationship with Djibouti and because of Eritrea's
possible ability to assist with the French official who had
been kidnapped in Somalia earlier this year (and who remains
in confinement). Gorjestani told us on December 11, however,
that France had decided to support the draft resolution with
respect to Eritrea's activities concerning both Somalia and
Djibouti. Comment: This evolution in the French position
underscores how close collaboration with France at the UN and
in capitals does result in favorable outcomes for U.S.
interests.
RIVKIN