US embassy cable - 05PARIS1085

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 001085 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2015 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, FR, NATO, EUN 
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FRENCH THOUGHTS FOR NATO SUMMIT 
 
REF: PARIS 1041 
 
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, Reason 1 
.4 (B) and (D) 
 
1. (C) Summary: MFA and Presidency advisors preparing for 
next week's February 22 NATO summit told us that the EU -- 
not NATO - is best placed to handle police and gendarme 
training for the Iraqis.  In line with the comments made by 
French Presidency Diplomatic Advisor Maurice 
Gourdault-Montagne in reftel, the Elysee pol/mil advisor also 
indicated that a final decision had not been made on possible 
French contributions to the NATO Trust funds for NTM-I, and 
added that such an option was still possible.  With respect 
to the NATO Summit and the EU-U.S. Ministerial and the 
transatlantic relationship, France is keen to build on the 
positive momentum generated by Secretary Rice and Secretary 
Rumsfeld's recent visits to France.  The French do not want 
surprises and plan to focus on the general convergence of 
views on Afghanistan and efforts by allies to address Iraqi 
needs, whether in an EU, NATO or bilateral context.  France 
also hopes to highlight the positive cooperation between NATO 
and European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), citing the 
successful SFOR-EUFOR transfer in Bosnia as an example.  End 
Summary. 
 
Approaching the NATO Summit 
--------------------------- 
 
2. (C) From separate conversations with Laurent Bili, Elysee 
pol/mil advisor, Francois Carrel-Billiard, MFA DAS-level 
Director for NATO/ESDP issues, and Camille Grand, MOD 
Diplomatic Advisor, we understand the French are viewing the 
NATO Summit and the US-EU Ministerial as further 
opportunities to continue to turn the page in our 
transatlantic relationship.  Their approach will be to 
highlight the positives, abstain from new initiatives, and to 
avoid any surprises.  Key areas for discussion at NATO will 
be our efforts in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and very broadly 
on our approach to Iraq.  On the Balkans, Grand and 
Carrel-Billiard reinforced Defense Minister Alliot-Marie's 
message that the situation on the ground does not yet warrant 
a reduction of combat troops. 
 
Iraq Trust Funds - No Decision Yet 
---------------------------------- 
 
3. (C) As noted in reftel, we pressed for a French 
contribution to the NATO Trust funds for NTM-I training, 
noting that it was important to show unity of purpose at 
NATO, in accordance with the Secretary General's objectives. 
Bili responded that a French contribution was still possible, 
but that a decision had not yet been taken.  He expressed 
unhappiness that support for NATO might be measured by 
whether and by how much a member state contributes to the 
Trust Fund.  What is more important, he noted, is that we 
respond to Iraq's stabilization needs.  In defense of the 
French position, Carrel-Billiard added that the trust funds 
had been set up for those member countries that wished to 
contribute to the NTM-I above what the Common Fund was 
legally allowed to cover, as well as for those who were not 
participating directly in Iraq.  NATO schools may cover 
tuition costs out of Common funds, for instance, but not 
other related costs, such as per diem and transportation, 
hence, the need for trust funds.  He stressed that France has 
been contributing to the NTM-I through Common Fund 
contributions.  France's share, he noted, amounted to some 
2.4 million euros.  Lastly, he and Grand said that one must 
not forget that allies had agreed that each member could 
assist the Iraqis either through bilateral programs, via NATO 
directly or through such mechanisms as the trust funds.  The 
French approach therefore was entirely consistent with NATO 
decisions. 
 
EU Training Program 
------------------- 
 
4. (C) Both Carrel-Billiard and Bili emphasized that the EU, 
by virtue of its resources and broader mandate, was better 
suited than NATO for civilian and law enforcement training. 
Bili noted that following Secretary Rice's visit, President 
Chirac had made it clear that he wanted to put past 
disagreements behind.  Chirac had approved French 
participation in an EU mission to provide judicial and rule 
of law training in Europe for some 800 senior-level Iraqi 
civil servants.  France would be the largest contributor to 
this program.  According to Carrel-Billiard, the EU program, 
which is still under development, is separate from France's 
existing bilateral offer to provide gendarme training for 
1500 Iraqis, at an estimated cost of 15 million euros.  This 
training could take place in Qatar and in France using 
Arabic-speaking instructors, as needed.  In response to our 
questions about the status of this French offer, Bili said 
the Iraqis had not yet responded, but should the Iraqis find 
it preferable, France could see folding this offer under an 
EU umbrella.  Camille said the Iraqis had visited a gendarme 
training site during President Yawer visit earlier this year, 
but had still not conveyed a decision.  The French program 
could be ready within a few months, added Grand.  When 
pressed about a possible transfer of the proposed French 
bilateral program to NATO, Bili said France had no such plans 
and reiterated the French view that the EU was better suited 
for this project. 
 
NATO and Afghanistan -- No to PRTs, maybe on QRF 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
5. (C) On Afghanistan, France will cite the convergence of 
views on stage 2 expansion and on the eventual merger of 
OEF/ISAF under a unified command.  It will also focus on the 
previously announced contribution of six combat planes in 
support of Afghan elections and on French plans to increase 
its participation in training the Afghan army.  As the 
President's diplomatic advisor noted in reftel, Bili and 
Carrel-Billiard voiced concern that the OEF/ISAF merger in 
Afghanistan not lead to a downsizing of U.S. forces.  We 
prodded Bili about French contributions to the PRTs and 
participation in a Quick Reaction Force (QRF).  He said the 
Elysee was not likely to change its opinion against 
participating in PRTs.  (Note: This is a harder line than 
that taken by the MOD and the MFA, which tend to be more 
agnostic.)  On the QRF, Bili and Grand both mentioned that 
France was not opposed to participating, but that current 
resource commitments, especially in the Balkans and West 
Africa, prevented the severely stretched French military from 
making any additional commitments at this time. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. (C) While the French profess strong support for NATO, and 
can rightly point to their efforts in KFOR, the NRF, and ISAF 
as examples, they clearly are missing the point on the 
symbolic importance of showing unity on Iraq by making a 
contribution to the Trust funds.  Ultimately the decision is 
Chirac's to make between now and the summit.  French interest 
in helping Iraq through the EU is motivated, in part, by a 
desire to make sure that their preferred institution plays a 
central role in Iraqi reconstruction and that French efforts 
remain separate from U.S.-led efforts to build Iraq's 
security capacity.  That NATO already has a training program 
underway and that a tangible contribution to the trust funds, 
in addition to their Common Fund contributions, would send a 
more immediate signal to the Iraqis of French engagement on 
this issue is of secondary importance to Paris. 
 
7. (C) The French are hoping for a successful outcome at the 
Summit and will therefore seek to downplay differences.  We 
can expect, however, that France will be prepared to stand 
its ground on harder issues, such as the EU intent to lift 
their China arms embargo.  End Comment. 
 
8. (U) Kabul and Baghdad minimize considered. 
Leach