PENTAGON COMMENDS FRANCE'S OPERATIONS IN MALI

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Pentagon Spokesman Commends France's Efforts in Mali
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2013 - Pentagon Press Secretary George Little today praised French allies and said the United States will continue providing intelligence and airlift support against an al-Qaida-affiliated group in Mali.

"We commend the French for their actions in Mali to confront an extremist threat in that country," Little told reporters. "We stand by our French allies and will ... continue to work with [them] to determine what their future needs might be."

As of today, Little said, the U.S. Air Force has flown five C-17 sorties moving about 80 French troops and more than 124 tons of supplies and equipment into Mali.

"We've provided information in support of the French since their operations began in Mali, ... and we continue to consult with the French on further steps that we may take as U.S. government to support their efforts in Mali," he said.

Little also noted that Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has for years been "very clear" in his stance on al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a Mali-based militant organization, and other branches of al-Qaida.

"We need to go after al-Qaida wherever they are around the world," he said, echoing Panetta's remarks.

Since operations began in the region, the United States has "moved quickly to provide intelligence and airlift as part of a deliberate effort" to consult with France and assess how the U.S. can best support among other countries, Little said.

"This is truly an international effort, French-led, but a number of countries are providing support in the effort, including the United States," he added.

U.S. ASKED BY FRANCE TO PROVIDE 'ENABLERS' FOR MALI CONFLICT

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Dempsey: France Requests U.S. Enablers for Forces in Mali
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Jan. 17, 2013 - The French government has asked for U.S. military assistance for their actions against an al-Qaida-affiliated group in Mali, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

In an interview, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said the United States has not been asked to help with lethal operations, but rather, with enablers.

The requests are being addressed through the U.S. interagency process, the chairman said. The Defense and State departments and the National Security Council staff will assess the requests, "and we will probably provide what we can," he said.

Dempsey called the French mission in Mali important. "Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is a threat not only to the country of Mali, but the region, and if ... left unaddressed, could in fact become a global threat," the general said.

The first thing the French asked for was planning assistance, a request that shows the close relationship the United States maintains with its French allies, Dempsey said.

"They know we've done work against that kind of threat for 10 years," he explained, "and they've asked our help." The planners already have begun working with their French allies, he added.

The French also have asked for logistics assistance, Dempsey said. Mali is a huge country with a small population. Distances in the country are great, and infrastructure is lacking.

U.S.-FRANCE RELATIONS REGARDING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Castle on the village square in Gordes, Provence, was partially rebuilt in
1525

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

U.S.-France Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation

Media Note


Washington, DC
October 19, 2012

On October 25-26, the United States and France will hold their third Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation in Paris, France.

The meeting, which is held under the auspices of the U.S.-France Science and Technology Agreement, monitors progress on and identifies new areas for scientific cooperation.

Representatives from the National Science Foundation, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, U.S. Agency for International Development, Smithsonian Institution and Department of State will meet with their French counterparts to discuss brain and neurodegenerative diseases, trilateral cooperation on health and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa, protocols in chemical biology, and large scale infrastructure for life sciences such as biobanks. They will also discuss enhancing the mobility of researchers and new researcher exchange programs.

Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, will lead the U.S. delegation. Ms. Helene Duchene, Director of Mobility and Attractiveness, Office of Globalization, Development and Partnerships, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, will lead the French delegation.

In addition, Dr. Subra Suresh, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), will address priorities and new programs at the NSF.

The U.S.-France Science and Technology Agreement was signed on October 23, 2008. We have held two previous Joint Commission Meetings, resulting in collaborations in important areas such as Agriculture and Environment, Large Scale Infrastructures for Physics, and Science and Technology for Archeology. The last Joint Commission Meeting was held in 2010 in Washington, D.C.

U.S.-FRANCE RELATIONS

Map Credit:  U.S. State Department
FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, FRANCE
The United States and France established diplomatic relations in 1778 following the United States' declaration of independence from Great Britain, and France provided key assistance to the United States as an ally during its war of independence. The Vichy Government of France severed diplomatic relations with the United States in 1942 during World War II; relations were normalized in 1944. The United States and France are among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5).

Relations between the United States and France are active and friendly. The two countries share common values and have parallel policies on most political, economic, and security issues. Differences are discussed frankly and have not generally been allowed to impair the pattern of close cooperation that characterizes relations between the two countries.

The U.S. and France work closely on many issues, most notably in combating terrorism, efforts to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and on regional problems, including in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia. As one of the P5+1 powers and as a leader of the European Union, France is working to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, France fully supports U.S. engagement in the peace process. France is one of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) top five troop contributors. The French support NATO modernization efforts and are leading contributors to the NATO Response Force.


U.S. Assistance to France
The United States provides no development assistance to France.


Bilateral Economic Relations


France is a member of the European Union and is the United States’ third-largest trading partner in Europe (after Germany and the U.K.). Trade and investment between the United States and France are strong. On average, over $1 billion in commercial transactions, including sales of U.S. and French foreign affiliates, take place every day. U.S. exports to France include industrial chemicals, aircraft and engines, electronic components, telecommunications, computer software, computers and peripherals, analytical and scientific instrumentation, medical instruments and supplies, and broadcasting equipment. The United States is the top destination for French investment and the United States is the largest foreign investor in France. The United States and France have a bilateral convention on investment and a bilateral tax treaty addressing, among other things, double taxation and tax evasion.

France's Membership in International Organizations

France and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, G-20, G-8, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. France also is an observer to the Organization of American States.