FRANCE: CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT

UNCLAS PARIS 000290 SIPDIS S/CT FOR SHARRI R. CLARK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV PINS ASEC EFIN ENRG KCIP FR SUBJECT: FRANCE: CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT REF: SECSTATE 15113 ¶1. Embassy Paris notes no significant developments since last year with respect to GOF actions to protect critical infrastructure. After mission-wide consultation, Embassy Paris did not identify any physical infrastructure or resources in France whose loss would immediately affect the security, national economic security, and/or national public health or safety of the United States. Our CI/KR report is therefore negative. ¶2. GOF ACTIONS TO PROTECT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Critical infrastructure protection is a high priority for France, with particular attention paid to airports, seaports, public transit systems, and nuclear reactors. The GOF, under the auspices of the Interior Ministry, developed a national security plan in 1978 known as Vigipirate to respond to terrorist threats. Vigipirate consists of four threat levels, each of which activates certain protocols aimed at reinforcing security, including critical infrastructure. The evaluation of possible threats is updated regularly. Both the national police and the military assist in security, as appropriate. The GOF also has specialized plans in place to deal with specific threats, such as chemical or biological attacks. Furthermore, the 2008 French White Paper on Defense and National Security, a strategic appraisal of France,s security interests, dictated enhanced safeguards against cyber attacks, health-related crises, and threats to energy and strategic raw materials supply. ¶3. The Vigipirate system consists of four threat levels: (1) Yellow: Emphasize vigilance against real but indefinite threats using localized measures; (2) Orange: Warning of a possible terrorist attack, preparation for higher threat level; (3) Red: Known risk of one or several serious attacks, put in place necessary emergency and counter-attack measures; (4) Scarlet: Known risk of major attacks, possibly simultaneous, and could cause disastrous effects, all necessary security measures must be taken. ¶4. France has been operating at threat level Red since the London bombings on July 7, 2005. PEKALA