Fabien Baussart
{{Short description|President of Center of Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Fabien Baussart
| image = Fabien Baussart.jpg
| alt =
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1973|1|25}}
| birth_place = Paris, France
| death_date =
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| other_names =
| occupation = President of the center of political and foreign affairs
| website = {{url|thecpfa.com}}
}}
Fabien Baussart ({{birth date|df=y|1973|1|25}}) is the founder and president of the 2006 established think tank Center of Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA),{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-jr-held-talks-on-syria-with-russia-supporters-1479920753|title=Donald Trump Jr. Held Talks on Syria With Russia Supporters|last=Solomon|first=Jay|date=23 November 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://thecpfa.com/|title=Center of Political and Foreign Affairs|access-date=18 June 2019}} which organizes events and discussions on various geopolitical topics around the world{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/pouvoir/politique/articles/comment-vladimir-poutine-simmisce-dans-la-presidentielle/52275|title=Comment Vladimir Poutine s'invite à la présidentielle|first1=Vanity|last1=Fair|first2=Condé Nast Digital|last2=France|date=21 April 2017|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=18 June 2019}} with prominent political figures such as Zbigniew Brzezinski, Kofi Annan, José María Aznar, Mohamed ElBaradei, and Al Gore.{{cite web|url=https://sebastian-pinera-presidente.blogspot.com/2009_06_28_archive.html|title=SEBASTIAN PIÑERA E. EN LA PRESIDENCIA DE CHILE|website=sebastian-pinera-presidente.blogspot.com|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.challenges.fr/magazine/des-agences-fixent-la-cote-des-ex_339500|title=Des agences fixent la cote des Ex|website=Challenges|date=10 February 2010 |access-date=18 June 2019}}
Biography
Baussart is a businessman{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trumps-son-met-moscow-backed-syrian-opposition-politician|title=Trump's son met Moscow-backed Syrian 'opposition' politician|website=Middle East Eye|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://kun.uz/en/news/2019/05/16/tashkent-paris-prepare-joint-projects|title=Tashkent, Paris prepare joint projects|first=Kun|last=uz|website=Kun.uz|access-date=18 June 2019}} who has invested in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.{{cite web|url=https://diembaovn.info/tags/fabien-baussart-russie/21044523.html|title=fabien baussart russie|website=diembaovn.info|access-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706164152/https://diembaovn.info/tags/fabien-baussart-russie/21044523.html|archive-date=6 July 2019|url-status=dead}} In 2005 he founded Xorus Press Inc.{{cite web|url=https://yes-ukraine.org/en/Yalta-annual-meeting/2006/perelik-uchasnikiv|title=List of participants – third Annual YES Meeting – Yalta Annual Meeting – YES|website=yes-ukraine.org|access-date=18 June 2019}}'{{Cite web|url=http://www.quebecentreprises.com/xorus-presse-inc-1021c/|title=XORUS PRESSE INC.|website=www.quebecentreprises.com|access-date=2019-11-10}} which published the French and Russian editions of Foreign Policy{{Cite news |title=NEW VISION CONFERENCE POST-BUSH AMERICA AND THE WORLD: CAN THE GAP BE CLOSED? October 2nd and 3rd 2008 Hotel Amigo, Brussels – Belgium |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/files/participants.pdf}} and invested in various media outlets in Ukraine, Russia and France. In 2010, Baussart sponsored a new art magazine entitled Le Monde de l'Art, which launched in Paris and was directed by the writer Guillaume de Sardes.{{cite web|url=http://www.presseedition.fr/numero_1_le_monde_de_lart_P_AA_R_0_A_7182_.html|title=Presse Edition :: Numéro 1:Le Monde de l'Art|website=presseedition.fr|access-date=18 June 2019}} He also sponsored the KitSon Club, a French think tank.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fondation-prometheus.org/publish/2009-01-16~1945@LA_LETTRE_A|title=Clubs &Think-tanks|access-date=18 June 2019|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209211530/http://www.fondation-prometheus.org/publish/2009-01-16~1945@LA_LETTRE_A|url-status=usurped}}
Fabien Baussart worked on solving various political crises, focusing particularly on Libya{{Cite web|url=https://alleanzacattolica.org/il-ministro-sfida-la-francia-e-prepara-l-asse-con-tripoli/|title=Il ministro sfida la Francia e prepara l' asse con Tripoli|last=Andrea Morigi|date=1 July 2018|website=Alleanza Cattolica|language=it-IT|access-date=27 June 2019}} and Syria,{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/donald-trumps-eldest-son-secret-talks-syria-paris-ritz-russia-a7436706.html|title=Donald Trump Jr held secret talks with pro-Russia politicians over what to do in Syria|date=24 November 2016|website=The Independent|access-date=27 June 2019}} by facilitating peace talks between different protagonists.
In 2015, as president of CPFA, he initiated peace talks on Syria in Astana with Randa Kassis by appealing to the first Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev.{{Cite web|url=http://thecpfa.com/syria/|title=Syria – Center of Political and Foreign Affairs|access-date=27 June 2019}}
Political initiatives
= Peace in Syria =
In 2015 Baussart and Randa Kassis appealed to the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev to launch a peaceful solution to the crisis and launch a political platform that could assemble moderate Syrian opponents.{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/kazakhstan-to-host-syria-talks/|title=Kazakhstan to Host Syria Talks|last=Putz|first=Catherine|website=thediplomat.com|access-date=23 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/reportages/le-fils-de-trump-rencontr-une-femme-politique-de-l-opposition-syrienne-soutenue-par|title=Le fils de Trump a rencontré une femme politique de l' " opposition " syrienne soutenue par Moscou|website=Middle East Eye|access-date=23 September 2019}}
Two first meeting was chaired by the Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov in May 2015. The second meeting was opened by the Secretary of State of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova and mediated by Fabien Baussart and the Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Askar Mussinov.{{Cite web|url=https://astanatimes.com/2015/10/representatives-of-syrian-opposition-meet-in-astana/|title=Representatives of Syrian Opposition Meet in Astana|last=October 2015|first=Malika Orazgaliyeva in International on 6|date=6 October 2015|website=The Astana Times|access-date=23 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://groupegaullistesceaux.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/fabien-baussart-la-solution-militaire-dou-quelle-vienne-ne-sera-jamais-viable/|title=Fabien Baussart : La solution militaire d'où qu'elle vienne ne sera jamais viable|last=Sceaux|first=Groupe Gaulliste|date=15 March 2016|website=Groupe Gaulliste Sceaux|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 September 2019}} The meetings resulted in two resolutions being signed by the participants, which created the Astana Platform and helped pave the way for the peace process in Astana.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inform.kz/ru/article/2824774|title=В Астане подписана итоговая декларация по борьбе с кризисом в Сирии (ФОТО)|last=INFORM.KZ|date=4 October 2015|website=inform.kz|language=ru|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713183555/https://www.inform.kz/ru/article/2824774|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.azh.kz/en/news/view/7130|title=Second round of Syrian opposition talks to kick off in Astana on Friday|website=Ақ Жайық|language=ru-RU|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713183603/https://m.azh.kz/en/news/view/7130|url-status=dead}}
In February and July 2017 Baussart and Kassis initiated discussions in Geneva to develop a preparatory document to reform the Syrian Constitution.{{Cite web|title=Astana Platform|url=https://astanaplatform.com/|access-date=2020-09-20|website=astanaplatform.com|archive-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908131536/https://astanaplatform.com/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.azh.kz/en/news/view/7130|title=Second round of Syrian opposition talks to kick off in Astana on Friday|website=Ақ Жайық|language=ru-RU|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713183603/https://m.azh.kz/en/news/view/7130|url-status=dead}} This initiative was promoted during the National Conference in Sochi in January 2018 by Randa Kassis despite objections from the Syrian government and part of the opposition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/30/russia-syria-peace-conference-sochi-foreign-minister|title=Russia's Syrian peace conference teeters on farce|date=30 January 2018|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfi.fr/moyen-orient/20180130-conference-mouvementee-sotchi-paix-syrie|title=Conférence mouvementée à Sotchi sur la paix en Syrie|date=30 January 2019|website=RFI}}
= Peace talks – Kazakhstan =
In 2015, Fabien Baussart launched a "Committee of the Wise" that would address various issues related to international peace.
The committee gathered several prominent political figures and Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including former Israeli President Shimon Peres, former Vice President of Egypt and general-director of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, former President of Poland Lech Walesa, Guatemalan human rights activist Rigoberta Menchu Tom and Chairman of the IPCC Rajendra Pachauri,{{Cite web|url=http://thecpfa.com/initiatives/|title=Kazakhstan peace talks|website=The CPFA}}{{Cite web|url=http://randakassis.eu/en/?p=3110#more-3110|title=Kassis meets Beibut Atamkulov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan|website=Randa Kassis}} former President of Colombia Cesar Gaviria and former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero. The Committee met in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan, where they were received by President Nazarbayev in the Presidential Palace.{{Cite web|url=http://www.akorda.kz/kz/events/akorda_news/meetings_and_receptions/memleket-basshysy-akylmandar-kenesinin-mushelerimen-kezdesti|title=Мемлекет басшысы Ақылмандар кеңесінің мүшелерімен кездесті|date=18 September 2015|website=ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫ ПРЕЗИДЕНТІНІҢ}}
= Nuclear Non – Proliferation Initiative =
In 2016 Baussart organised a conference on nuclear non-proliferation with guest speakers Kofi Annan, Bronislaw Komorowski, Jack Straw, Yasar Yakis and Giulio Terzi.{{Cite web|url=http://thecpfa.com/nuclear-non-proliferation/|title=Nuclear Non-Proliferation|website=The CPFA}}
Controversy
In 2010, Fabien Baussart, a close friend of Thaksin Shinawatra, stood by him to oppose a potential expulsion from France. At the time, Shinawatra was facing political harassment led by Bernard Kouchner, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs.{{Cite web |date=2010-05-26 |title=Thaksin to defy Kouchner's call not to speak in Paris |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/asia-pacific/20100526-thaksin-defy-kouchner-call-not-speak-paris |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=RFI |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2010-05-31 |title=Shinawatra prié de se taire |url=https://www.lejdd.fr/International/Shinawatra-prie-de-se-taire-197079-3266639 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=lejdd.fr |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=Thaksin, invité surprise de Baussart - 28/05/2010 |url=https://www.lalettre.fr/fr/clubs--think-tanks/2010/05/28/thaksin-invite-surprise-de-baussart,83732748-art |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=La Lettre |language=fr}}
In December 2016, Baussart through his CPFA nominated Vladimir Putin for the Nobel Peace Prize.{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Michael |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/03/connections-trump-putin-russia-ties-chart-flynn-page-manafort-sessions-214868 |title=All of Trump's Russia Ties, in 7 Charts |work=Politico |date=March 2017 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322123356/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/03/connections-trump-putin-russia-ties-chart-flynn-page-manafort-sessions-214868 |archive-date=22 March 2017}}{{cite news |author=RIA Novosti staff |url=https://ria.ru/20161220/1484155176.html |title=Французский политолог выдвинул Путина на Нобелевскую премию мира |trans-title=French political scientist nominates Putin for Nobel Peace Prize |language=ru |work=Ria Novosti |date=20 December 2016 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327184202/https://ria.ru/20161220/1484155176.html |archive-date=27 March 2024}} Baussart stated, "I believe that President Putin has deserved it, who is truly fighting terrorism and especially against ISIS in Palmyra, Syria."{{cite news |url=https://www.rbth.com/news/2016/12/21/french-think-tank-proposes-putin-for-nobel-peace-prize_664661 |title=French think tank proposes Putin for Nobel Peace Prize |work=Russia Beyond the Headlines |date=21 December 2016 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327183556/https://www.rbth.com/news/2016/12/21/french-think-tank-proposes-putin-for-nobel-peace-prize_664661 |archive-date=27 March 2024}}
Personal
Baussart is married to Syrian-born Randa Kassis who is a close friend of Sergey Lavrov.{{cite news |author=MEE staff |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trumps-son-met-moscow-backed-syrian-opposition-politician |title=Trump's son met Moscow-backed Syrian 'opposition' politician: Donald Trump Jr met Randa Kassis before US election, strengthening expectations Trump administration will side with Russia in Syria |work=Middle East Eye |date=24 November 2016 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706164156/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trumps-son-met-moscow-backed-syrian-opposition-politician |archive-date=6 July 2019}} Following a speech by Donald Trump Jr., for the CPFA in the Louis XV Salon at the in Hotel Ritz Paris on 11 October 2016, Kassis allegedly flew to Moscow and stated that she could serve as a back door communication link between the Trump presidency and Vladimir Putin regarding the political process in Syria .{{cite news |last1=Sallon |first1=Hélène |last2=Vitkine |first2=Benoît |date=19 March 2017 |title=Fabien Baussart, l'intermédiaire proche de Moscou qui a fait venir Donald Trump Jr à Paris: Compagnon d'une opposante syrienne adoubée par le Kremlin, l'homme d'affaires cultive ses réseaux russes depuis le début des années 1990. |trans-title=Fabien Baussart, the Moscow-close intermediary who brought Donald Trump Jr to Paris: A companion of a Syrian opposition leader endorsed by the Kremlin, the businessman has been cultivating his Russian networks since the early 1990s. |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2017/03/19/fabien-baussart-l-intermediaire-proche-de-moscou-qui-a-fait-venir-donald-trump-jr-a-paris_5097133_3210.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319143213/https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2017/03/19/fabien-baussart-l-intermediaire-proche-de-moscou-qui-a-fait-venir-donald-trump-jr-a-paris_5097133_3210.html |archive-date=19 March 2017 |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=Le Monde |language=fr}}{{cite news |last=Cloud |first=David S. |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-russia-trump-paris-20171115-story.html |title=Donald Trump Jr.'s 2016 trip to Paris for lunch with Moscow-linked couple remains a puzzle |work=Los Angeles Times |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327185458/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-russia-trump-paris-20171115-story.html |archive-date=27 March 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/trump-s-son-met-with-pro-russia-advocates-in-paris-1.5465563 |title=Donald Trump Jr. Discussed Syria Conflict With pro-Russia Advocates in October: After Paris event, head of Syrian opposition group touts that she succeeded in conveying importance of Russian-U.S. cooperation on Syria through contact with President-elect Trump's eldest son. |work=Haaretz |date=24 November 2016 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128125947/https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/trump-s-son-met-with-pro-russia-advocates-in-paris-1.5465563 |archive-date=28 November 2018}}{{cite news |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/donald-trump-s-eldest-son-secret-talks-syria-paris-ritz-russia-a7436706.html |title=Donald Trump's son held secret talks on working with Russia to end Syria conflict: The 38-year-old's presence at the meeting has raised questions about what role Mr Trump's family will play in his administration |work=The Independent |date=24 November 2016 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021200926/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/donald-trump-s-eldest-son-secret-talks-syria-paris-ritz-russia-a7436706.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=21 October 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{cite news |author=ABC News staff |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jr-lingering-questions-meeting-pro-russia-group/story?id=45858839 |title=For Donald Trump Jr., lingering questions about meeting with pro-Russia group: A key organizer briefed a top Russian official on soiree. |work=ABC News |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327205347/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jr-lingering-questions-meeting-pro-russia-group/story?id=45858839 |archive-date=27 March 2024}}
See also
References
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Category:Businesspeople from Paris