Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE125228
2009-12-08 00:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:
DEMARCHE: PRESS FRANCE TO SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON
how-toVZCZCXRO9944 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHC #5228 3420039 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P R 080038Z DEC 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 7537 INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0845 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 8238 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9000
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 125228
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PREL UNP PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: PRESS FRANCE TO SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON
ERITREA
Classified By: AF PDAS Donald Yamamoto for Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 125228
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PREL UNP PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: PRESS FRANCE TO SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON
ERITREA
Classified By: AF PDAS Donald Yamamoto for Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 3.
Background
--------------
2. (C) The United States is vigorously supporting an
African-led effort to impose UN Security Council sanctions on
Eritrea for its actions destabilizing Somalia and maintaining
forces on Djiboutian territory in contravention of UN
Security Council resolution 1862 (2009). Uganda is
spearheading the effort to adopt a new Security Council
resolution that would impose targeted sanctions (asset
freeze, travel ban, and targeted arms embargo) on those
threatening the peace and security of the region. French
officials previously told USUN that although they had some
problems with the text, they would maintain a low profile
during negotiations. Unfortunately, negotiation dynamics put
France in the vocal opposition. At USUN Ambassador Susan
Rice,s request, the French have agreed to be less vocal, but
we are now working to gain their support.
Action
--------------
3. (C) Embassy Paris is requested to immediately approach
France,s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the highest
appropriate level to urge France to support United Nations
Security Council sanctions against Eritrea. Post may draw on
the points in para 4 below in discussions with the host
government.
Talking Points
--------------
4. (U) We would like your support in New York to adopt a
robust UN sanctions regime on Eritrea.
-- The sanctions resolution on Eritrea is a high priority
resolution in the Security Council for the African Union (AU).
-- Eritrea,s destabilizing actions in the region -- in
particular, in Somalia and Djibouti -- are unacceptable. We
should support this African-led UNSC initiative to solve a
serious regional problem.
-- Exposing P-3 divisions and undermining an important
African priority will seriously hurt our efforts to send a
clear message to Eritrea. If our message is that Africans
must find solutions to African problems, then we must unite
behind this African-led effort.
-- We appreciate that you have agreed to be less vocal in
opposing the resolution in New York. We are now asking that
you withdraw your objections to targeted measures. These
measures are, in and of themselves, an incremental step. A
unanimous Committee decision would still be required to list
any individual or entity for sanctions.
IF NEEDED:
-- The resolution is already weaker than earlier drafts given
the removal during the P-3/Uganda negotiations of the
measures that would ban investment in Eritrea,s mining
sector and limit other financial flows to Eritrea. We
delayed negotiations in an attempt to forge P-3/Uganda
consensus. We have shown flexibility and are now asking for
your cooperation.
Point of Contact
--------------
5. (U) Please direct questions and response details to AF/E
Marilyn Gayton Hamiel, 202-647-5922, email address
GaytonMR@state.sgov.gov.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019
TAGS: PREL UNP PGOV ER FR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: PRESS FRANCE TO SUPPORT UN SANCTIONS ON
ERITREA
Classified By: AF PDAS Donald Yamamoto for Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 3.
Background
--------------
2. (C) The United States is vigorously supporting an
African-led effort to impose UN Security Council sanctions on
Eritrea for its actions destabilizing Somalia and maintaining
forces on Djiboutian territory in contravention of UN
Security Council resolution 1862 (2009). Uganda is
spearheading the effort to adopt a new Security Council
resolution that would impose targeted sanctions (asset
freeze, travel ban, and targeted arms embargo) on those
threatening the peace and security of the region. French
officials previously told USUN that although they had some
problems with the text, they would maintain a low profile
during negotiations. Unfortunately, negotiation dynamics put
France in the vocal opposition. At USUN Ambassador Susan
Rice,s request, the French have agreed to be less vocal, but
we are now working to gain their support.
Action
--------------
3. (C) Embassy Paris is requested to immediately approach
France,s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the highest
appropriate level to urge France to support United Nations
Security Council sanctions against Eritrea. Post may draw on
the points in para 4 below in discussions with the host
government.
Talking Points
--------------
4. (U) We would like your support in New York to adopt a
robust UN sanctions regime on Eritrea.
-- The sanctions resolution on Eritrea is a high priority
resolution in the Security Council for the African Union (AU).
-- Eritrea,s destabilizing actions in the region -- in
particular, in Somalia and Djibouti -- are unacceptable. We
should support this African-led UNSC initiative to solve a
serious regional problem.
-- Exposing P-3 divisions and undermining an important
African priority will seriously hurt our efforts to send a
clear message to Eritrea. If our message is that Africans
must find solutions to African problems, then we must unite
behind this African-led effort.
-- We appreciate that you have agreed to be less vocal in
opposing the resolution in New York. We are now asking that
you withdraw your objections to targeted measures. These
measures are, in and of themselves, an incremental step. A
unanimous Committee decision would still be required to list
any individual or entity for sanctions.
IF NEEDED:
-- The resolution is already weaker than earlier drafts given
the removal during the P-3/Uganda negotiations of the
measures that would ban investment in Eritrea,s mining
sector and limit other financial flows to Eritrea. We
delayed negotiations in an attempt to forge P-3/Uganda
consensus. We have shown flexibility and are now asking for
your cooperation.
Point of Contact
--------------
5. (U) Please direct questions and response details to AF/E
Marilyn Gayton Hamiel, 202-647-5922, email address
GaytonMR@state.sgov.gov.
CLINTON