GEORGIA: FRENCH AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000584 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL RS GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: FRENCH AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION'S SOUTH CAUCASUS POLICY Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary and Comment: France's local Ambassador in Tbilisi Eric Fournier was remarkably blunt in his opening remarks at a local conference March 20 about current European Union policy towards Russia, as well as his own difficulties in getting his ministry in Paris to put Georgia on its priority list. Hansjorg Haber, head of the EUMM mission in Georgia, immediately followed Ambassador Fournier with his own opening remarks, in which he tried to take a softer tone on the current state of affairs, stressng the speed with which the EU responded to the August 2008 conflict. Haber emphasized the quick pace of engagement in the South Caucasus after the conflict in comparison with the difficult and lengthy decisions made by the EU in the Balkans during the 90's. In spite of Haber's more conciliatory tone, it was Fournier's comments that contributed to an animated crowd in attendance, as well as generated press interest. While it was clear that he was speaking on his own, the comments were nonetheless an interesting window into the situation in the EU. End Summary and Comment. Shuttle Diplomacy - As long as it is to Brussels ¶2. (SBU) During a daylong conference March 20 in Tbilisi organized by the Institut Francais d'Etudes Anatoliennes, Ambassador Fourier stressed, both from notes as well as in ad hoc remarks, that his main problem since arriving in Georgia was the difficulty in convincing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris that Georgia was important to the EU. He noted the constant presence of senior Georgian officials in Brussels, and argued that the EU was clearly the focus of the Georgian leadership. Fournier believed his own government did not understand the need to reciprocate. He repeatedly has complained to Paris about the lack of senior French government visitors to Georgia, noting that if the flights did not end in either Berlin, Brussels, or London, they were apparently not of much interest. Ambassador Fournier said that countries such as "Pakistan and Georgia" must become higher on the priority list for officials in Paris, or else significant momentum would be lost in solving the world's problems. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Fournier noted that his complaints have resulted in some increased interest, as he described the arrival of French Minister of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac to Georgia in November 2008, whose highly positive experiences in the country resulted in a special credit issuance to Georgia. He took this as a positive sign, as his predecessor had virtually no visitors during his three year term to Tbilisi. His initial observations upon arrival in Tbilisi, followed by the August conflict, have increased his desire to play an active role in building French relations with Georgia, encouraging a strategic dialogue following the essential role played by President Sarkozy in negotiating the cease-fire in 2008, and ensuring that the "Eastern Partnership" is effective in the region. View of the Russians ¶4. (SBU) He remained blunt and candid in his descriptions of Russia, stressing the importance of a united European front in dealing with the current Russian government. Fournier said that the August conflict in Georgia helped achieve unity among the Europeans in dealing with Russia for the first time. He said that this unity must carry over if Russia is to be engaged with strength. Of particular note, he emphasized the importance of having a credible military he emphasized the importance of having a credible military force in the EU so as to ensure that a dual track approach to Russia, including both hard power and soft power, would be the norm going forward. While Fournier assured the audience that a new cold war was impossible, this did not stop him from noting "barbaric" actions of the Russians, including the murder of journalists in Moscow, assassination of Chechens on the streets of Vienna, and the ongoing imprisonment of former Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He returned to the topic of Chechnya multiple times, describing his disappointment at the lack of opposition from the EU toward Russian activities during the wars there. Haber Walks Back ¶5. (SBU) European Union Monitoring Mission head Hansjorg Haber struck a more conciliatory tone in his remarks immediately after the French Ambassador, stressing the speed with which the EU responded to the fighting in August in comparison to its performance in the Balkans in the 90's. Additionally, he raised the example of the "Eastern Partnership" as an additional sign that officials in the European capitals were aware of the situation in Georgia, and evidence of near-term momentum in enhancing relations between Europe and Georgia. Response from the Georgian Side ¶6. (SBU) While noting that he did not enjoy the association of Georgia with Pakistan in the Ambassador's comments, Dr. Nika Chitadze, a professor at Tbilisi State University and Chavchavadze University, stated his appreciation for the blunt talk. He said that it would likely contribute to the view held among the Georgians that Germany continues to be the primary inhibitor in the EU. Chitadze said that while France would continue to be viewed as a difficult EU member, perhaps more focus should be placed on the German role in slowing down Georgian integration into NATO and the EU, as Germany attempts to improve its position with Russia. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: While it was clear that Ambassador Fourier was speaking on his own and that his remarks were probably not authorized by Paris, his comments and opinions were still quite intriguing coming from an Ambassador of one of the most important EU countries in devising policy towards Russia and Georgia. His candor provides an interesting window through which to view the infighting and struggles faced by our European allies as they strive to influence their own capitals in the development of policy in the South Caucasus. END COMMENT. TEFFT