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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4377
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN IMMEDIATE 0870
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA IMMEDIATE 1014
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 0661
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RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA IMMEDIATE 1240
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA IMMEDIATE 0961
RUEHTRO/USLO TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0038
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0651
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RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 1039

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 001036 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL PHUM IV SU CD FR
SUBJECT: DEBY BETTER OFF AFTER TRIPOLI.  UN DROPPING THE 
BALL ON IVORY COAST ELECTIONS 
 
REF: PARIS 963 
 
PARIS 00001036  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Josiah B. Rosenblatt.  Reasons 1.4b,d 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary:  The French Presidency is relieved at the 
outcome of the Tripoli summit, which has significantly 
defused tensions between Sudan and Chad.  Elysee Africa Cell 
Deputy Labriolle reported that Libya was pleased to have 
demonstrated its diplomatic credibility and had laid the 
groundwork for a larger role on the crisis, if required. 
Labriolle lavished praise for the summit outcome on the 
technical performance of Congo/Brazzaville FM Adada.  He 
related that Libya, in conversations with Chirac's Africa 
Counselor Michel de Bonnecorse, had equated AMIS re-hatting 
with foreign occupation.  MFA AF PDAS-Equivalent Barbier 
related AU Chairperson Konare appeared under heavy pressure 
from Sudan and OIC members to resist an expeditious transfer 
for AMIS to UN leadership.  Separately, Labriolle suggested 
there were possibilities of a resolution to Chad's imbroglio 
with the World Bank.  On Cote d'Ivoire he complained that the 
UN was failing to engage in support of elections.  End 
Summary. 
 
Tripoli Summit:  France Satisfied 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) The French Presidency views the outcome of the 
Tripoli summit with satisfaction, Jacques de Labriolle, 
deputy to the Presidential Africa Counselor, told Africa 
Watcher on February 15.  Although there was no concrete 
outcome, e.g. a border monitoring force, the summit served 
its purpose by helping to defuse tensions and avert open 
conflict between Sudanese President Bashir and Chadian 
President Deby.  Labriolle underscored the significance of 
Bashir's and Deby's public commitment to desist from 
subversive actions, namely aiding and arming rebel groups. 
Even if Deby and Bashir do not observe the agreement to the 
letter, it has already caused discouragement among certain 
rebel elements.  Deby's hold on power appeared more secure 
and he was gaining back the loyalty of wavering elements in 
his ruling clique.  (Note: Labriolle intimated Deby's renewed 
distribution of emoluments was paying dividends.)  There was 
a sense of relief at the Elysee and hope that the worst of 
the crisis was over. 
 
¶3.  (C) Asked if France anticipated that Libya would seek to 
expand on its mediation role, Labriolle noted that Tripoli 
had laid the groundwork though there were no immediate 
indications of follow-up.  Libya would chair the three 
commissions established at the summit.  Overall, the Libyan 
Government was delighted to have demonstrated it could play a 
"mature" role in international diplomacy.  (Note: Labriolle 
personally evinced contempt for past Libyan terrorist 
actions, and commented that Qadhafi was now jaded and in some 
respects "broken", while not discounting his enduring 
potential for mischief.) 
 
¶4.  (C) Labriolle had high praise for Congo/Brazzaville FM 
Adada, "a superb technician."  Burkina Faso President 
Compaore, with his strong connections throughout the Sahel, 
also exerted influence.  Labriolle brushed aside CAR 
President Bozize's role as insignificant. 
 
AMIS Re-Hatting 
--------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Labriolle reiterated that the French Presidency 
"absolutely" supports UN re-hatting of AMIS.  He admitted 
that new French budgetary legislation left MFA colleagues in 
a bind on how to finance the French UN assessment for a new 
Darfur mission, but he did not believe the problem would 
prove insoluble (Reftel). 
 
¶6.  (C) Labriolle commented that Chirac's Africa Counselor 
Michel de Bonnecorse had just spoken with Al-Triki and sought 
to overcome the veteran Libyan diplomat's resistance. 
Al-Triki complained that a UN mission would be tantamount to 
 
PARIS 00001036  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
foreign occupation; Bonnecorse rejoined that the UN mission 
would be primarily African in any case, since the bulk of 
AMIS forces would stay on.  (Note: Al-Triki is traveling to 
France and to Slovakia for medical follow-up on a foot injury 
sustained at the 2005 Africa-France summit in Mali. 
Labriolle related with amusement that French FM Douste-Blazy, 
a medical doctor by training, had had to provide emergency 
treatment to the Libyan during the conference.) 
 
¶7. (C) Obtaining an AU endorsement was critical, yet 
Labriolle said he had not been tracking discussion on 
accelerating AU consideration in advance of a March 
ministerial meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council.  AU 
Chairperson Konare would be reluctant to cut corners, he 
observed; past efforts at finagling AU procedures had had 
painful consequences, for instance in AU debates on UN 
Security Council Reform.  Labriolle commented that the French 
Government did not have a privileged relationship with 
Konare, whom he called a "man of the Left" with deeply 
conflicted sentiments toward France.  By contrast, Chirac and 
Sassou-Nguessou were very friendly and were in touch 
frequently.  (Note:  In a February 17 conversation, MFA AF 
PDAS-Equivalent, taking issue with Labriolle's judgment, 
asserted Paris had very deep ties to Konare but Konare 
remained very much his own man in the sphere of political 
action.  She believed Konare was under heavy pressure from 
Sudan and certain OIC nations to proceed deliberately on AMIS 
re-hatting.) 
 
Chad:  Resolving the World Bank Imbroglio 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Labriolle revealed that Chad President Deby would be 
in Paris later in the week, apparently for medical reasons. 
The timing was unfortunate, since Chirac was away overseas in 
Thailand and India.  Bonnecorse would be calling on Deby. 
(Note:  Labriolle added that French authorities, on a 
previous visit, had lent Deby a state residence to facilitate 
discretion and comfort during a 15-day convalescence.) 
 
¶9.  (C) Labriolle was hopeful for a resolution of the impasse 
with the World Bank.  The French Presidency was suggesting 
the World Bank and the IMF dispatch a joint evaluation 
mission to Chad.  Its investigations presumably would 
determine that Chad was facing new hardships and that 
circumstances warranted alteration of the original protocol. 
Labriolle argued for inclusion of the IMF because Deby would 
refuse an evaluation mission solely under auspices of the 
World Bank. 
 
¶10.  (C) The World Bank imbroglio, if not resolved soon, 
could have far-ranging repercussions, Labriolle claimed. 
Chadian authorities were angered and inclined to force 
renegotiation of other agreements, for instance with Cameroon 
and with Exxon-Mobil.  The Elysee thinks World Bank Chairman 
Wolfowitz understands the situation, but the bank's 
bureaucracy remains committed to the 1999 law as a watershed 
pilot program that the World Bank must maintain.  France will 
continue to encourage dialogue.  Labriolle added that the 
Chadians do not know how to deal with the World Bank.  He 
commented that the Chadians were reacting very poorly to the 
lead role of Robin Cleveland, a competent and fair negotiator 
according to Labriolle, whose gender nonetheless is proving 
an impediment due to prejudices in the Chadian delegation. 
 
¶11.  (C) Labriolle said the Elysee was wrestling with the 
notion of having Deby postpone elections and extend his 
mandate for a finite period before stepping down 
definitively.  Moreover, the power of Arab and African 
leaders derives from a perception of their durability, making 
Deby's assent problematic.  Labriolle suggested a need for 
further discussion. 
 
Cote d'Ivoire:  UN Must Engage on Elections 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (C) Labriolle lambasted UN reluctance to engage on 
 
PARIS 00001036  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
preparations for elections in Cote d'Ivoire.  While Ivorian 
authorities should organize the elections proper, the UN must 
assume a supervisory role, implementing controls and 
exercising oversight.  Resolution 1630 provides sufficient 
authority if allowed a proactive reading, he asserted.  UN 
envoy for elections Antonio Monteiro appeared intimidated, he 
commented.  Labriolle refused to entertain the possibility 
that the election calendar could slip.  The timetable was in 
jeopardy, he admitted, and Gbagbo, who faces probable 
electoral defeat, would continue maneuvers to derail 
preparations.  Nonetheless, any talk of delay would become a 
self-fulfilling prophecy, he feared. 
 
¶13.  (C) Labriolle reiterated French appeals for senior U.S. 
participation at meetings of the International Working Group 
in Abidjan.  France will continue to participate at 
ministerial level, dispatching Minister for Cooperation and 
Development Brigitte Girardin. 
 
¶14.  (U) Tripoli minimize considered. 
 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
 
Stapleton