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