Cablegate: France: 61st Unga: High-Level Attendance And

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #5609 2340816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220816Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0539
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0860

UNCLAS PARIS 005609

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP (HARRIS), EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE)
NSC FOR WILLIAMS-MANIGAULT
USUN FOR OLSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: 61ST UNGA: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND
REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS

REF: A. STATE 112656
B. PARIS 5157

This supplements our interim report (ref B) on GOF UNGA
attendance.

A. Attendance of the Head of State:

-- Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic.

-- Arrival and departure dates are uncertain, but MFA on
August 21 reports he will probably leave after the second day
of the UNGA. He plans to give France's address.

-- Presence of spouse (Bernadette): Undetermined, but
likely.

-- President Chirac's English is good, but he usually
prefers the presence of an interpreter in formal meetings.

B. Attendance of the Head of Government: MFA reports no
present plan for PM Dominique de Villepin to attend.

C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister:

-- Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

-- MFA reports that FM Douste-Blazy will attend the UNGA and
will head France's delegation once President Chirac leaves.

-- Arrival and departure dates are uncertain, according to
the MFA.

-- Presence of spouse: Undetermined (but unlikely, in our
view, based on recent practice).

-- FM Douste-Blazy speaks some English but requires an
interpreter at formal meetings.

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

HOFMANN

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