US embassy cable - 05PARIS2789

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002789 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015 
TAGS: PREL, CT, PU, GV, FR 
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES CAR, GUINEA-BISSAU, GUINEA 
 
REF: A. PARIS 2725 
 
     B. PARIS 2726 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt for reason 1.4 (b/d). 
 
1.  (C)  MFA DAS-equivalent for West Africa Bruno Foucher 
discussed his portfolios with Africa Watcher on April 20. 
Ref A reports his discussion of Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina 
Faso; Ref B reports his remarks on Togo.  Foucher offered 
brief comments on other countries his office oversees. 
 
2.  (C)  CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:   Foucher agreed that 
General Kolingba's recently stated "price" for supporting a 
candidate in the next round of CAR presidential elections was 
outrageous.  Foucher expressed concern about the pre-election 
climate, remarking on the general lack of funds in all 
sectors of the economy.  He noted possible EU help with a 
paving project, salaries from which could inject cash into 
the economy.  He was not optimistic, however, that much could 
be done quickly to bolster the CAR economy.  Foucher said 
that, while GOF training of the gendarmerie had ended, 
France's military contribution to CEMAC's FOMUC, which was 
receiving EU funding, would likely continue.  He predicted a 
one-year renewal on June 30.  Foucher expressed concern about 
cross-border activity by the Jinjaweed militia groups and the 
risk of refugee flows from Sudan. 
 
3.  (C)  GUINEA-BISSAU:  Foucher, saying that he was 
"worried" about Guinea-Bissau, commented briefly on former 
President Kumba Yala's presidential ambitions.  Foucher said 
that Kumba Yala enjoyed the support of Senegal's President 
Wade, who was grateful for Yala's cooperation with Senegal 
over the Casamance separatists.  Guinea-Bissau had not 
allowed them to enter Guinea-Bissau, with many decamping to 
Sierra Leone instead.  When asked about whether Portugal had 
taken a position on Yala's candidacy, Foucher said that the 
Portuguese had not.  (NOTE:  The GOF is likely to take its 
lead from the Portuguese on Guinea-Bissau.  END NOTE.) 
 
4.  (C)  GUINEA:  Foucher described GOF efforts to accelerate 
engagement with Guinea, which he said were meeting resistance 
from within the EU, although Guinea did not carry the same 
baggage at the EU as did Togo, on which Germany takes a hard 
line.  France would like to restart economic cooperation. 
Foucher mentioned "envelope B," which could make possible a 
total of over 100 million euros in credit, and "envelope A," 
which could be used to support elections.  Foucher mentioned 
briefly French work with the IFIs on Guinea.  He noted that 
Guinea's Prime Minister met recently with GOF 
Minister-Delegate for Cooperation Darcos and explained 
Guinea's need for assistance. 
WOLFF