FRENCH RESPONSE ON MAGHREB KIDNAPPING THREAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000105

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC XI XG FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE ON MAGHREB KIDNAPPING THREAT

REF: A. STATE 769 (NOTAL)

B. PARIS 30

Classified By: Andrew Young, Political Counselor, reason 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: France shares our concerns about the
kidnapping and security threats to westerners in Africa's
Sahel and Maghreb regions. The French MFA routinely issues
travel warnings in an effort to dissuade French citizens from
traveling in much of the Sahel and Maghreb regions. France
shares the U.S. concern on countries paying ransom and wants
to continue our dialog and cooperation in addressing the AQIM
threat. END SUMMARY.

MFA WARNS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVEL IN THE SAHEL
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2. (SBU) MFA Desk Officer for Sahel issues, Marie Audouard,
responded to reftel demarche by noting that the MFA issues
travel warnings for French citizens via its website
(http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-au x-voyageurs),
and that currently the GOF "strongly recommends all French
citizens (tourists and residents) leave Northern Mali and
Northern Niger." This follows the kidnapping of a French
citizen on November 29, 2009 in Menaka, Mali. Mauritania has
long been subject to a French travel warning and the MFA also
posted a specific alert advising against participation in the
Northern Mali Essakane Festival.


3. (SBU) Audouard also noted that as of January 12, by
France's count, westerners kidnapped in the Maghreb include
the French citizen referred to above, three Spanish citizens
taken in Mauritania on December 19, 2009, and two Italian
citizens also kidnapped in Mauritania.


4. (C) As reported in ref B, during his consultations with
French officials on January 5, AFRICOM Commander General Ward
heard that France remains concerned that AQIM is actively
pursuing new opportunities to kidnap westerners. France is
unhappy that for both AQIM and Somali pirates some countries
are paying ransom to free their citizens. The GOF is
interested in making travel agents more accountable for
facilitating travel to regions covered by MFA travel warnings.

ALSO A CONCERN IN THE NORTH AFRICA DIVISION
--------------

5. (C) MFA North Africa DAS Cyrille Rogeau and Morocco Desk
Officer Marie Buscail told poloff January 12 and January 26,
respectively, that French authorities are well aware of the
dangers in the Sahel. They are keen to continue cooperating
closely with the USG in the region, and, where possible, to
"combine forces" on combating terrorism. Buscail reported
that France has also issued official travel warnings for
Algeria and Libya, in addition to the other countries in the
Sahel region. She noted that we must "advance discretely,"
in light of the risks posed by increasing media attention to
the terrorists in the area. Moreover, she argued that the
French at times have more room to maneuver than do we, in
light of their historic role in the Sahel: "Sometimes people
there are more accustomed to seeing a visible security role
for France than for the United States," she said, noting that
the USG has in the past communicated messages in coordination
with our French counterparts, and even sometimes through them.


6. (C) Rogeau reported that Algeria in particular has
remained a reliable partner on counter-terrorism, despite the
tense state of Franco-Algerian bilateral relations at the
moment. Even in the context of occasional diplomatic tussles
-- such as the current upset in Algiers following French
inclusion of Algerian citizens on a list equivalent to the
American TSA list -- intelligence sharing and security
coordination continue apace, according to Rogeau.


7. (C) As to the payment of ransom for kidnapped French
citizens, Buscail said the GOF position is currently under
consideration. Responding to poloff's explanation of USG
policy, she said GOF officials are aware of our strong stance
against paying ransoms. Buscail said the French agree with
the principle behind our position, and do not seek to reward
or negotiate with terrorists, kidnappers and pirates. At the
same time, the French will not likely adopt a maximalist
position on ransoms, such as the one supported by Algeria.

PARIS 00000105 002 OF 002


She reported that Algeria's recent proposal to impose
international sanctions on countries who pay ransoms to
liberate their citizens has met opposition in Europe. As the
GOF moves forward in developing its position on this issue,
Buscail added, it will do so in close cooperation with other
EU member states.

COMMENT
--------------

8. (C) Because if its historical ties and the military and
intelligence assets it maintains in the region, France will
remain an important interlocutor for us on the general issue
of AQIM/Sahel and Maghreb security, as well as in discussions
on non-payment of ransoms.


9. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
RIVKIN