US embassy cable - 05PARIS81

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000081 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR, EAP, SA, AND EB 
STATE ALSO FOR S/ES-O (TF-1) 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2005 
TAGS: AEMR, EAID, EFIN, PREL, FR 
SUBJECT: DONOR SUPPORT FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF: FRANCE 
 
REF: STATE 959 
 
Classified By: ECON Kenneth Merten as confidential for reasons 1.5 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  Working level French officials dealing 
with the tsunami are very pleased with and thankful for the 
excellent cooperation with the USG.  France will be 
represented "most likely at the ministerial level" at the 11 
January Geneva donors' conference, however the GOF has not 
decided who will attend.  The French are still considering 
what they may be in a position to pledge at the conference, 
but our contact noted real budgetary constraints could limit 
further financial support. End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) On 5 December, Econ Chief discussed reftel points 
with Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, Christian Lechervy. 
Along with the points, Econ Chief had also shared the USAID 
fact sheet with Lechervy.  Lechervy commented immediately 
that the coordination between U.S. and French officials both 
in the region and elsewhere was superb.  He made particular 
note of the help French military officials had received from 
PACOM on an airlift on 5 January.  He singled out the 
Pentagon's help as noteworthy and much appreciated. 
 
3.  (C) Regarding GOF representation at the 11 January Geneva 
donors' conference, Lechervy noted that France will certainly 
be represented, "most likely at the ministerial level." 
However, whether it would be a minister from the Finance 
Ministry or from the Foreign Ministry (each ministry has a 
senior minister and several junior ministers) was still being 
thrashed out between the relevant agencies.  Separately, the 
on 5 January the MFA spokesman announced that Cooperation 
Minister Xavier Darcos would represent France at the 6 
January Jakarta meeting, adding that he had left for 
Indonesia the evening of 4 January.  The MFA had originally 
said France would be represented at the meeting by the EU. 
 
4.  (C) On a possible contribution, Lechervy said it was 
still too early for him to comment.  He said the GOF was 
watching to see how events developed and needs materialized 
over the coming days on the ground.  He also said the GOF 
would be watching closely the results of the 6 January 
Jakarta meeting.  In addition, the outcome of the General 
Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 7 January will also 
determine the GOF's position in Geneva.  Lechervy cautioned 
that France currently faces some real budgetary concerns.  He 
opined that France would look closely at any further 
financial support and may prefer to take measures such as 
relieving countries' international debt or establishing 
reconstruction-related programs.  He added quickly, that the 
subject was still being widely discussed within the GOF and 
cautioned against our drawing any early conclusions about 
what the GOF might pledge in Geneva.  Lechervy said that he 
would have a clearer picture by 7 January. 
 
Leach