US embassy cable - 05PARIS2793

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002793 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, FR 
SUBJECT: FRENCH RAISE CONTINUED CONCERNS ON BAGHDAD AIRPORT 
ROAD ACCESS 
 
REF: A. BAGHDAD 1669 
     B. PARIS 2661 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Senior French MFA and Presidency officials raised 
continuing concerns over access to the Baghdad airport road, 
on the margins of highly constructive discussions on Iraq 
with Senior Advisor and Coordinator for Iraq Ambassador 
Richard Jones April 25 (septel).  Presidential Advisor on the 
Middle East/Americas Dominique Boche expressed thanks for 
Embassy Baghdad efforts (ref a), which had satisfied French 
concerns on Green Zone access.  At the same time, Boche 
reiterated continued concern on the airport road, and 
stressed that the GoF was still seeking access to the 
"protected lane."  He stressed that the airport road was more 
dangerous than ever, with the number of attacks on the rise, 
so this was a sensitive point and high-level concern for the 
GoF.   MFA A/S-equivalent for Middle East/North Africa 
Jean-Francois Thibault raised similar points with Ambassador 
Jones, stressing that the GoF was seeking equal treatment in 
access to the airport road. 
 
2. (C) Ambassador Jones, in response, noted that Embassy 
Baghdad was working with MNF-1 and the Iraqi government on 
revising the security and access procedures for the airport, 
which had delayed resolution of French concerns.  Once the 
new system was in place, France would receive the same 
treatment as others.  Both Boche and Thibault took Ambassador 
Jones' points on board, but appeared eager for resolution of 
the airport road issue soonest. 
 
3. (C) We appreciate Baghdad's quick response to French 
security concerns in Baghdad (reftels) and would welcome 
additional updates post can offer on the airport access 
issue. 
 
4. (U) Ambassador Jones cleared this message. Baghdad 
minimize considered. 
WOLFF