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### Viewing cable 08PARIS501, LATIN AMERICA: FRENCH SHARE SENSE OF POSITIVE

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08PARIS501 | 2008-03-18 08:43 | 2011-05-11 12:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Paris
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks

`

    VZCZCXRO7732
    PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
    DE RUEHFR #0501/01 0780843
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 180843Z MAR 08
    FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2296
    INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
    RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 0488
    RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0547
    RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0495
    RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0048

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000501

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2018
    TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM FR CO EC BR CU
    SUBJECT: LATIN AMERICA: FRENCH SHARE SENSE OF POSITIVE
    TRENDS, RETAIN SINGULAR FOCUS ON COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA HOSTAGE
    SITUATION

    Classified By: POL/MC Josiah Rosenblatt for Reasons 14.(B) and (D)

    ¶1.  (C)  SUMMARY. PDAS Craig Kelly reviewed Latin American
    priorities with MFA PDAS for Latin America Jean-Marc Laforet
    and DAS for Central America Jose Gomez on March 6.  They
    concurred with Kelly,s assessment that the democratic
    governance and regional cooperation were improving across
    the region despite a negative press focus on the challenges
    posed by actors such as Venezuelan President Chavez.  Laforet
    described French policy in Latin America as built around
    "strategic partnerships," as with Brazil, while noting the
    disproportionate role played by the Ingrid Betancourt hostage
    issue in Colombia.  He described Chavez as the one who can
    winBetancourt,s freedom and asserted a French view that
    Venezuela remains a democracy, despite Chavez,s heavy-handed
    tactics.  Laforet cited the referendum failure as the best
    example of this.  On Cuba, Laforet noted France supports a
    democratic transition, but considered this unlikely before
    Fidel Castro leaves the political arena.  Kelly outlined
    Chavez,s anti-democratic actions in Venezuela and urged
    France to support a democratic transition in Cuba.  Comment:
    This dialogue on Latin America revealed an understanding of
    views on broad regional trends while sharpening some
    differences regarding Venezuela and Cuba.  END SUMMARY

    ¶2.  (C)  On March 6, PDAS Kelly reviewed the positive trends
    in Latin America of the past two decades with  Jean-Marc
    Laforet, MFA PDAS-equivalent for Latin American, and Jose
    Gomez, DAS-equivalent for Central America.  PDAS Kelly noted
    the U.S. is optimistic about the future for the region,
    despite a press focus on the challenges posed by Venezuelan
    President Chavez.  Most countries in the region are taking
    steps to open up their economies and strengthen democratic
    institutions to improve the lives of real people.  These
    developments don't make headlines but ultimately they
    constitute the most important story in the region.  Kelly
    explained U.S. thinking on Cuba transition, Colombia, and
    Venezuela.  Laforet expressed general agreement noting France
    has observed political and economic improvements over the
    last 20 years.  In contrast to the 1980,s, today France is
    not greatly concerned about the stability of Latin America.
    To underscore the point that security issues no longer
    dominate the regional agenda, Laforet said France will focus
    on energy, climate change, and the socio-economic situation
    as priorities during the May EU-Latin America Summit.
    Laforet described French policy in Latin America as anchored
    by "strategic partnerships" such as the one recently advanced
    with Brazil by President Sarkozy, while asserting that the
    Ingrid Betancourt hostage situation disproportionately
    dominates French policy in the region.

    CHAVEZ
    ------
    ¶3.  (C) The French view Venezuela as a democracy despite the
    Chavez,s heavy handed tactics.  Citing his high-profile
    failure to win last fall,s referendum as an example of
    democracy's resilience in Venezuela, Laforet and Gomez
    portrayed Chavez as a "Bonapartist" leader who rejects checks
    and balances that hinder his direct dialogue with the people.
    Laforet cast some blame for the radicalization of Venezuela
    on the opposition's decision to boycott elections, leaving
    Chavez a clear field.  On bilateral U.S.-Venezuelan
    relations, Laforet expressed concern that Chavez,s
    anti-American rhetoric was gaining unhelpful resonance in
    Latin America.  Finally, Laforet noted that in a private
    conversation with President Sarkozy, Chavez
    indicated he was amenable to improving relations with the
    United States.  Chavez then went public with explosive and
    counter-productive remarks.

    ¶4.  (C)  Laforet lauded Chavez's mediation efforts on
    hostages and said France believes Chavez is the one to secure
    Betancourt,s release.  He expressed frustration with Uribe's
    decision to end Chavez's role in hostage negotiations and
    noted Uribe treated Chavez badly by announcing the end of
    mediation to the press before notifying Chavez.  Drawing
    parallels between the two leaders, Laforet observed both
    Chavez and Uribe enjoyed strong connections to their
    electorates.

    ¶5.  (C)  PDAS Kelly observed that Chavez's authoritarian and
    anti-democratic actions have eroded Venezuelans, freedoms.
    While the United States has refrained from getting into a
    shouting match with Chavez, we have made clear our concern
    for the restrictions on democratic space in Venezuela.
    Clearly, concern is rising within Venezuela, as the

    PARIS 00000501  002 OF 002

    referendum made clear.  Meanwhile,  President Uribe in
    Colombia enjoys 80 percent approval ratings, in large part
    because he has brought about dramatic improvements in
    security, prosperity and human rights through his campaign
    against FARC terrorism and all forms of political violence.

    THE FARC
    --------
    ¶6.  (C)  Laforet explained French willingness to consider a
    wide range of options to obtain the release of Betancourt as
    the result of the extreme pressure coming directly from
    President Sarkozy.  Laforet described Chavez' suggestion that
    the FARC be taken off the terrorist list as "clumsy."
    Suggesting that some political status could be helpful in
    moving negotiations forward.  Larforet said France is looking
    to some sort of compromise to acknowledge the FARC without
    giving it international recognition.

    ¶7.  (C) Kelly noted U.S. policy placed the blame for the
    hostage-taking squarely on the FARC,s shoulders.  We have
    great sympathy for all hostages, and want to prevent future
    hostage taking.  Meanwhile we strongly support Uribe,s
    campaign against the FARC.  Noting that the FARC had abused
    the peace efforts of previous Colombian presidents, Kelly
    pointed out that Uribe's tough stance has achieved dramatic
    improvements in the security situation - as Secretary Rice's
    recent trip to Medellin with a congressional delegation made
    clear.  As a result, the economy is growing and Colombia
    enjoys growing integration in global trade.  We want to
    encourage these trends.  That is why we are pressing for
    congressional ratification of our Free Trade Agreement with
    Colombia.  Laforet acknowledged Colombia's progress and said
    the French government supports Uribe,s security policy.

    CUBA-French Support Release of Prisoners and Democratic Change
    --------------------------------------------- ---------------
    ¶8.  (C)  PDAS Kelly stated this was a historic opportunity
    for Cubans to determine the future of their country; now is
    the time for democracies around the world to support the
    Cuban people in their desire for real change.  Cuba's future
    is for the Cubans, not outsiders, to determine, but the
    people need the freedom to exercise choices.  Kelly pressed
    France to support the liberation of political prisoners and
    the movement toward democratic institutions.  Laforet agreed
    the democracies should strive to halt the
    regime's human rights abuses, but Laforet lamented that
    direct pressure does not seem to work.  The international
    community should consider "appropriate tactics" to attain our
    objectives.  Laforet noted that Raul Castro might be an
    engine for some change in Cuba, but a real transition  was
    not possible until Fidel left the scene.

    BRAZIL
    ------
    ¶9.  (C)  On the broader French policy towards Latin America,
    Laforet said France is building its policy in the region
    around "strategic partnerships" such as the one advanced by
    President Sarkozy's February 12 meeting with Brazilian
    President Lula da Silva.  He added Brazilian support is
    important to address many international challenges and that
    France supports according Brazil its "appropriate place" in
    international institutions such as an expanded G8 and UN
    Security Council.Laforet added that Brazil is well placed
    to mediate between Colombia and Venezuela.  Citing the U.S.'s
    good relations with Brazil,
    PDAS Kelly agreed that Brazilian President Lula is playing a
    constructive role in various regional crises.  This is good
    for the hemisphere.  The United States has made a major
    commitment to upgrade its relationship with Brazil in many
    concrete areas, including the economy, biofuels, culture and
    education.

    ¶10.  (U)  PDAS Kelly cleared this message.

    Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
    http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

    STAPLETON

    =======================CABLE ENDS============================

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