Cablegate: France On National Strategy to International Efforts

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #6669 2791614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061614Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2037

UNCLAS PARIS 006669

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCOR ECON EAID EINV KCRM FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE ON NATIONAL STRATEGY TO INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
AGAINST KLEPTOCRACY

REF: STATE 131554

1. (U) Embassy raised reftel points on the National Strategy to
Internationalize Efforts Against Kleptocracy with senior MFA
officials, and is sharing points with Ministries of Finance and
Justice. MFA DAS-equivalent for International Financial Affairs
Cyrille Pierre told us the French stance on corruption had evolved
considerably over the past several years and the GOF considers the
fight against corruption a priority. The outcome of the recent peer
evaluation of France in the OECD's anti-bribery working group
attested to its efforts.

2. (U) Pierre said reftel concept of financial center partnerships
working together to deny safe havens was "interesting" and, he
thought, the GOF would be receptive to working together to flesh out
the concept. He cautioned against any effort that would involve
independently generating a "blacklist" of kleptocrats. It would be
important that cooperation be geared towards denying access to
kleptocrats who had been found guilty of impropriety by recognized
bodies.

3. (SBU) In the spirit of reftel strategy, Pierre suggested there
might be opportunities for France and the U.S. to coordinate
existing anti-corruption efforts in the developing world. For
example, there were only three countries in the African Union that
had not implemented the UN Convention Against Corruption, he said.
Coordinating demarches to those governments might be an effective
means of underscoring the importance of the issue. France also was
interested in pursuing more robust efforts to increase the
transparency of off-shore financial centers, whether through ongoing
work in the FATF, or under the auspices of the Anti-Bribery
Convention.

4. (SBU) Comment: We would do well to pursue Pierre's suggestion of
finding opportunities to coordinate messages on anti-corruption. A
joint message might have particularly strong impact in France's
traditional zone of influence. Post would be pleased to work with
the Department and regional missions on such an effort.

HOFFMAN

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