Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS805
2009-06-17 13:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRENCH RESPONSE TO U.S. VIEWS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
how-toVZCZCXRO1277 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDF RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHFR #0805 1681322 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 171322Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6470 INFO RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0427 RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0117
UNCLAS PARIS 000805
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO U.S. VIEWS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY
REF: SECSTATE 61286
UNCLAS PARIS 000805
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO U.S. VIEWS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY
REF: SECSTATE 61286
1. (SBU) On June 15 Mr. Sylvain Fourriere, Director of
Energy Issues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Bureau of
Global Public Goods, told ESTH Counselor that France
welcomes the US Government interest in joining the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). While
normally the French default position would be to support
the German Government's proposal of Bonn as the IRENA
headquarters, the French Government will not make a
decision on its position until next week.
2. (SBU) Fourriere explained that France has several reasons for
supporting Dubai as the headquarters. For a start, building on
visits by President Sarkozy, France has been developing closer
relations with the UAE
government, such as establishing a new French military base
there, and proposing to sell civilian nuclear power
reactors. Secondly, France is proposing as the French
candidate for IRENA Director General Helene Pelouse, the
current deputy director of the secretariat staff of
Jean-Louis Borloo, the Minister of State for Ecology,
Energy, Sustainable Development and Regional Planning
(MEEDDAT),and formerly the chief diplomatic counselor to
Borloo. France's thinking is that selection of Dubai as
the headquarters would facilitate election of a European as
the Director General, while selection of Bonn would made
her election difficult due to the perception of excessive
European influence. France will ratify the IRENA
Agreement soon in order to give extra impetuous to
Pelouse's candidacy.
3. (SBU) Fourriere agreed that IRENA should be structured
to avoid overlap, and pointed out that the OECD's
International Energy Agency (IEA),headquartered in Paris,
has been in discussions with current IRENA staff about
coordination to avoid duplication. (IEA staff confirmed
that they have had contacts with IRENA staff on this
point.) Also, coordination would be needed with other
multinational organizations promoting various kinds of
renewable energy.
4. (SBU) Post will report the MFA's decision on which IRENA
headquarters site to support.
PEKALA
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO U.S. VIEWS ON THE INTERNATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY
REF: SECSTATE 61286
1. (SBU) On June 15 Mr. Sylvain Fourriere, Director of
Energy Issues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Bureau of
Global Public Goods, told ESTH Counselor that France
welcomes the US Government interest in joining the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). While
normally the French default position would be to support
the German Government's proposal of Bonn as the IRENA
headquarters, the French Government will not make a
decision on its position until next week.
2. (SBU) Fourriere explained that France has several reasons for
supporting Dubai as the headquarters. For a start, building on
visits by President Sarkozy, France has been developing closer
relations with the UAE
government, such as establishing a new French military base
there, and proposing to sell civilian nuclear power
reactors. Secondly, France is proposing as the French
candidate for IRENA Director General Helene Pelouse, the
current deputy director of the secretariat staff of
Jean-Louis Borloo, the Minister of State for Ecology,
Energy, Sustainable Development and Regional Planning
(MEEDDAT),and formerly the chief diplomatic counselor to
Borloo. France's thinking is that selection of Dubai as
the headquarters would facilitate election of a European as
the Director General, while selection of Bonn would made
her election difficult due to the perception of excessive
European influence. France will ratify the IRENA
Agreement soon in order to give extra impetuous to
Pelouse's candidacy.
3. (SBU) Fourriere agreed that IRENA should be structured
to avoid overlap, and pointed out that the OECD's
International Energy Agency (IEA),headquartered in Paris,
has been in discussions with current IRENA staff about
coordination to avoid duplication. (IEA staff confirmed
that they have had contacts with IRENA staff on this
point.) Also, coordination would be needed with other
multinational organizations promoting various kinds of
renewable energy.
4. (SBU) Post will report the MFA's decision on which IRENA
headquarters site to support.
PEKALA