[Australia]: Message to France [SEC=SECRET]

[Owen]

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MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: SECRET ​

20 October 2008

Dear Minister Laurent, As I wrap up my trip to Korea I am left asking, where to next? The Australian Government is eager to continue a diplomatic blitz to build ties with likeminded nations beyond the traditional scope of the United States or the United Kingdom. I would deeply appreciate it if my next stop could be to Paris to meet with you and to finally have a meeting which has been years in the waiting. The previous French administration under the monarch was less than receptive to Australia, for reasons still unbeknownst to me, and became more of an adversary in the Pacific region rather than an ally. It resembled more of the era of President Mitterrand when relations became frosty due to the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and continued nuclear tests within the Pacific region. We are committed to continue to ensure the South Pacific remains weapons of mass destruction free and we are continually monitoring proliferation of such weapons in the region and we hope France will join us in that effort. France is certainly, in our eyes, the second most important security player within the South Pacific region after Australia. Being in close cooperation with each other would ensure regional stability well within the future and we certainly don't want to see a situation like what developed in New Caledonia to develop again, not because the instability directly threatened Australia's security but because, without naming names, it brought in global players which did begin to threaten Australia's security. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Kevin Rudd.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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Bruno

 

[Owen]

Bruno

 

[Owen]

Bruno

 

[Owen]

Bruno

 

[Bruno]

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RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
Présidence de la République
Palais de l'Élysée
55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris, France​

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Classification: Confidential, Secret & Classified – Eyes Only
Transmission: Secure Government Channel
From: Minister of Foreign Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Minister Étienne Laurent
To: Minister Kevin Rudd Owen

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Dear Prime Minister Rudd,

Thank you for your message. France shares your assessment that the South Pacific is a region of growing strategic importance, and we welcome the opportunity to re-engage with Australia as a key partner in ensuring its stability and prosperity. The past, while complex, does not define our future. France has long been a Pacific nation, with territories and citizens deeply invested in the region’s peace and security. We remain firmly committed to a South Pacific free of weapons of mass destruction and to addressing proliferation risks through multilateral and bilateral cooperation. Your government’s vigilance on these issues aligns with our own priorities, and we are open to exploring how our nations can complement each other’s efforts.

A meeting in Paris would be a valuable first step to rebuild trust and outline concrete areas for collaboration. We propose a high-level dialogue focused on:

• Maritime security and freedom of navigation;
• Climate resilience and sustainable development in the Pacific;
• Defense and strategic coordination, with full respect for our respective sovereignty and existing alliances.

The lessons of New Caledonia and other regional challenges must show the importance of clear communication and mutual respect, values we are prepared to uphold in our renewed engagement with our friends from the land down under.

Please let us know your availability for a visit. We are prepared to receive you at the Quai d’Orsay at your earliest convenience.

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
Palais de l’Élysée

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