… France / United-States
Q: Does France consider, as the White House has just said, that Paris and Washington are on the “verge of a new era in relations”? What are the issues France and the U.S. are working on most closely together?
France and the United States closely share views on a number of subjects, whether they be terrorism, Lebanon, Iran or Afghanistan, to mention but a few. As for the statement you mention, I would simply say that France and the United States have been linked for more than two centuries by History.
…White Paper on Defense and National Security – Letter of engagement from M. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the Republic, to M. Jean-Claude Mallet, Member of the Conseil d’Etat – Paris, July 31, 2007
Since 1994, significant developments have drastically altered the international environment and our strategic defence and security situation: 11 September terrorist attacks, emergence of new centres of regional power, proliferation, effects of globalization and technological developments. Concurrently, the move to fully career armed forces and end of conscription have led to radical changes in our defence capability. Finally, today, some critical decisions will have to be taken regarding the country’s defence and be reflected in the next military estimates Act. This Act must establish the credibility of our defence, whilst respecting the State’s financial constraints.
To take account of all these parameters in a coherent approach, I have decided to launch an in-depth review of our general defence policy. It will have to lead to a new White Paper. This review will be conducted under the auspices of a commission of which I have decided to appoint you chairman.
The future White Paper will define a comprehensive concept of our country’s defence and its interests. It will focus on the areas of defence and security. It will have to cover the next 15 years or so, whilst being regularly updateable.
You will base your appraisal on an analysis of the international, economic and strategic situation, assessment of the risks and potential threats, keeping constantly in mind the need to protect the population and the country as well as the French living abroad, guarantee the country’s independence and safeguard its strategic interests in the full sense of the terms.
On this basis, your study, together with the proposals you put forward, will inter alia have to concern the development of our alliances and defence agreements and a review of the employment conditions of our armed forces deployed in external operations. I ask you to pay special attention to strengthening the European dimension of our defence and security policy and our contribution to the security of the Atlantic Alliance as a whole.
You will assess what is necessary for the credibility of our deterrent force. You will study the pertinence of the armed forces’ format and the locations where they are based, the coherence of the intelligence, industrial, technological and scientific effort our defence capability requires and the organization of civil defence and economic defence, increasing their coordination with military defence, with the aim of ensuring the smooth functioning of the public authorities, developing the means of fighting terrorism and proliferation, and improving crisis prevention and management.
The economic and social consequences of the proposed guidelines will have to be examined. Finally, you are also asked to put forward proposals on increasing parliament's involvement in defining and implementing our defence policy.
Your analysis will be carried out with no a prioris; it will allow us to consider openly and transparently the choices we shall have to face in order to adapt our defence capability, strengthen the link between the nation and its armed forces, and organize the transformation of the defence industry and research in a national and European framework. It will be part of a process designed to maintain and bolster a defence effort of around 2% of GDP.
So in your work you will ensure that you take close account of the findings of the general review of public policies, especially the strategic review of the weapons programmes.
You will draw on a commission calling widely on leading figures in civil society, including representatives of Parliament appointed by the presidents of the National Assembly and Senate, and the civil and military heads of the relevant government departments. Given the priority I intend to give Defence Europe, I ask you to arrange the appropriate exchanges with our main European partners during the review.
The Secretary-General of National Defence will be responsible for the secretariat of the commission. I am instructing the various ministers involved to give you their full support and that of their departments.
I wish to have the future White Paper at the beginning of March 2008. It must be preceded by a progress report at the end of 2007.
…Lebanon
- Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 7, 2007)
Q: What’s the French reaction to the by-elections in Lebanon? Do you think these elections and the results are likely to ease the political situation? Do you have any comment on the election process?
The results of the two legislative by-elections in Lebanon Sunday reflect a democratic and sovereign choice of the Lebanese.
The elections were held in good conditions, and voters were able to go to the polls freely in spite of the attacks and intimidation which democracy in Lebanon was subject to recently.
By filling the seats left vacant by the assassinations of lawmakers Pierre Gemayel and Walid Eido and enabling the two victors to join the ranks of Parliament, these elections attest to the resolve of the Lebanese people to return to normal political life far away from pressure and obstructions.
All these factors reinforce the urgent necessity of resolving the current political crisis in a spirit of dialogue and compromise.
- Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 9, 2007)
Q: The Israeli government is demanding a change in UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon. What’s your position?
It’s not up to me to comment on any of the possible positions you mention.
As you know, UNIFIL’s mandate will expire on August 31. The Lebanese government has asked to extend that mandate for another year, with no changes. The UN secretary-general conveyed a letter to the president of the Security Council a few days ago relating to the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate, which he had mentioned in his June report on the implementation of SCR 1701. The Security Council will be holding discussions on this topic soon.
…IMF
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 7, 2007)
Q: About the IMF. Could you tell us whether France, along with Britain and Germany, told an executive board meeting last week that it opposes voting rights reform that would increase the voice of the emerging countries while diminishing that of France and Europe? Did France request that the number of IMF votes be increased 6% for China, India and other emerging countries without a reduction in Europe’s voice?
It is not my place to comment on the technical details of IMF executive board meetings.
A two-step reform was started after the annual meeting in Singapore in September 2006. Several countries have already benefited from an increase in their quotas.
This movement is to be followed in the second phase by a reform of the formula for calculating quotas and further increases in quotas between now and 2008.
France is convinced of the importance of these developments which should better reflect the weight of the emerging and developing countries in the global economy. The question of a greater place for the emerging and developing countries in the governance of the IMF goes beyond quota reform per se. It also concerns aspects such as the diversity of personnel within the institution, the practice of decision-making by consensus and the trustful relationship with the member states.
The appointment of a new director-general at the IMF, a position to which France has presented the candidacy of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, will afford the opportunity to open the debate on all these questions.
…Columbia
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 9, 2007)
Q: Yesterday the Colombian foreign minister said he opposed a humanitarian agreement with the FARC, which had rejected President Uribe’s proposals. What’s your reaction and what’s the status of the efforts to release the hostages?
France is mobilized to obtain the release of the hostages in Colombia, including our compatriot Ingrid Betancourt, as part of a humanitarian exchange. We invite the Colombian authorities and the FARC to resume the threads of their dialogue and note that France, Spain and Switzerland stand ready to help promote the implementation of a humanitarian solution.
…Darfur
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 6, 2007)
Q: Saturday, Sudan slammed “France’s inability” to persuade Darfur rebel chief Abdelwahid al-Nour, who is living in France, to take part in the talks in Arusha. Khartoum claims that Bernard Kouchner had made “commitments” in that regard on his recent visit to Sudan. Do you confirm this allegation? And in what capacity is Mr. al-Nour staying in France?
France has been very involved for months in the resolution of the Darfur conflict and wishes to see a political agreement as it is convinced that this is the only way to end the crisis. France spared no effort in the process that led to the adoption of resolution 1769 in the UN Security Council on July 31.
From the outset we supported and continue to support the joint AU/UN initiative to revive dialogue among the rebels and begin the political process with the Sudanese authorities. This was the main conclusion at the meeting of the enlarged Contact Group in Paris on June 25.
We are in effect convinced that political dialogue among all the parties to the conflict, under United Nations and African Union auspices, will lead to a lasting solution to the crisis.
In conjunction with the joint UN/AU meditation, we made repeated efforts to convince the founder of the SLM/A and current leader of an SLM faction, Abdel Wahed Mohammed Nour, to take part in the latest meetings in Tripoli and Arusha.
We regret Abdel Wahed Nour’s decision. We will however continue our efforts to bring about the broadest possible rebel participation in political dialogue and in general encourage the peace process in Darfur.
With regard to Mr. Nour’s stay in France, I will look into it and get back to you.
…Georgia
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 9, 2007)
Q: On Wednesday evening, Georgia announced its intention to go to the UN Security Council following the launch of a missile against its territory, it believes, by Russia. Does France, as a permanent member of the Council, support this?
France expresses its concern over the increased tensions between Russia and Georgia. We therefore call for restraint. An investigation to establish the facts, led by the OSCE, is currently under way. We will pay close attention to the results. Georgia has brought this matter before the UN Security Council. We will take part in consultations on the subject.
…Moldavia
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 6, 2007)
During her visit to Moldavia on August 2, Rama Yade, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs responsible for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, met with Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European integration Andrei Stratan. Ms Yade and the Moldavian ministers reaffirmed the high caliber of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The secretary of state confirmed our support for the continuation of reforms in Moldavia in accordance with the action plan signed with the European Union, and our readiness to continue to help the search for a political settlement of the conflict in Transdniestr, in the format of the existing negotiations and with respect for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. She expressed our interest in deepening the partnership between the European Union and Moldavia in the context of European neighborhood policy, and of strengthening economic relations between Moldavia and France.
The question of human rights was the main focus of Ms Yade’s trip. She was able to appreciate the efforts that have already been made in the fight against human trafficking and for the reintegration of victims during her tour of the rehabilitation center for victims of human trafficking at Chisinau, and the progress that still has to be made. Ms Yade hailed the report of the Moldavian authorities in the implementation of their obligations with regard to the international conventions in this area. She said that France was prepared to offer every assistance to the Moldavian authorities and to associations working in this field.
The secretary of state also raised the question of children’s rights at the vacation center for street children run by the Salvati Copii association in Malovata. Rama Yade talked with leaders of nongovernmental organizations and international institutions active in the fight against human trafficking and the promotion of human rights.
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