US embassy cable - 05PARIS4661

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Identifier:	05PARIS4661
Wikileaks:	View 05PARIS4661 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Paris
Created:	2005-07-01 17:06:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	MARR PARM PREL PTER MASS FR
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004661 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2015 
TAGS: MARR, PARM, PREL, PTER, MASS, FR 
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO NICARAGUAN MANPADS DEMARCHE 
 
REF: A. STATE 100646 
     B. 06/23/05 SCHARLING-DESK E-MAIL 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Poloffs delivered demarche (ref A) June 20 to MFA 
desk officer for small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) 
Jean-Francois Guillaume and July 1 to MFA DAS-equivalent for 
Central America and the Caribbean Gilles Bienvenu.  Guillaume 
indicated that the GOF is focused on the destruction of arms 
in Africa, making it unlikely that France has the resources 
to help with the destruction of MANPADS in Nicaragua if 
needed in the future.  Bienvenu responded that the GOF shared 
our concerns on the potential risks that MANPADS posed.  He 
believed that the GOF would be willing to relay these 
concerns to EU members in Managua and in Brussels at the next 
COLAT meeting and suggested that Germany, as president of the 
EU group in Managua, should deliver a demarche to the GON and 
appropriate National Assembly members on behalf of the EU. 
However, Bienvenu cautioned that, as a sovereign state, 
Nicaragua had a right to self-defense. As a result, he 
thought any demarche would push for reduction rather than 
outright destruction of all MANPADS stocks. 
2.  (SBU) Bienvenu responded to a question on French support 
for the Sandinistas by noting that, while they had enjoyed 
the sympathy of the French left during the 1980's, he did not 
believe there were currently many ties.  He was not aware of 
any group presently supporting them, did not know of any 
French Parliamentary motions of support, and indicated there 
was not a Sandinista lobby present in France.  As anecdotal 
evidence, Bienvenu offered that last year the MFA had trouble 
finding participants interested in Nicaragua to attend a 
breakfast for the outgoing Ambassador. 
 
3.  (SBU) Comment: In response to ref B, Post welcomes 
additional talking points for use as appropriate, but does 
not believe a more extensive PD campaign would be productive. 
 Nicaragua seems below the radar of most in France, and 
drawing attention to the situation risks generating reactive 
support for the Sandinistas.  End Comment. 
STAPLETON