MONUC//DRC/INDIA: FRANCE URGES CONTINUED COOPERATION

UNCLAS PARIS 000551 SENSITIVE SIPDIS ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPGOV KPKO OPDC CG IN FR SUBJECT: MONUC//DRC/INDIA: FRANCE URGES CONTINUED COOPERATION REF: A. STATE 37801 ¶B. KINSHASA 386 ¶1. (SBU) MFA AF DAS-equivalent Helene Le Gal informed us on April 22 that France recently sent letters to the DRC and India urging them to cooperate with one another with respect to MONUC so that India will not withdraw its forces from MONUC in response the perceived insult conveyed by DRC FM Alexis Thambe Mwamba. Le Gal later provided the text of the letter from FM Kouchner to his DRC counterpart and the pertinent part of the letter from the MFA to the Indian MFA. ¶2. (SBU) Informal translation of the letter from Kouchner to Mwamba follows: (Begin informal translation) -- Monsieur le Ministre, -- As you know, the situation in the eastern part of the DRC remains a major concern for France and the international community, which have been mobilized for several years in order to support the peace consolidation process in your country. MONUC, whose numbers and mandate have been progressively reinforced, has played a role in the past, is currently playing a role, and is called upon to play a decisive role in the months to come. -- Just at the moment when encouraging perspectives are opening with respect to resolving the crisis in the eastern DRC, it seems essential that MONUC conserve and reinforce its capacity to fulfill the mandate conferred upon it by the UN Security Council, notably for the protection of the civilian population. The maintenance of the Indian contingent, which is the largest element of MONUC, and its material, notably its aviation assets, seems to me a vital necessity in this regard. -- I take note, however, that India envisions a withdrawal of its contingent in this critical moment for the future of peace in the region, and I understand that only a formal action on your part with respect to the Indian authorities would lead them to reconsider this decision. If this is the case, I can only encourage you to take such a step. -- Please understand, Monsieur le Ministre, that France, for its part, will spare no effort with the secretariat of the UN to ensure MONUC's effective and robust presence in the DRC. (End informal translation). ¶3. (SBU) Le Gal provided only an extract of the letter the MFA addressed to the Indian MFA. The French asked "that India maintain its contribution to MONUC," without which MONUC "would no longer be able to undertake the tasks that the Security Council has given it." PEKALA