… Iraq
Let me read you yesterday’s statement by Foreign Minister Kouchner:
“On August 14, the Iraqi people were hit by a new series of particularly heinous attacks in Nineveh province. More than 200 Iraqi civilians perished in those attacks.
France most vigorously condemns these barbarous attacks, which are continuing to shed Iraqi blood and striking all the diverse segments of the country’s population.
It assures the families of the victims and all Iraqis of its deepest sorrow and sympathy, and urges all of its communities not to succumb to the temptations of hatred.
It calls on all Iraqis to join together to reject violence and re-embark on the paths of national reconciliation, peace and unity.”
…United States/Iran
- Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 17, 2007)
Q: The United States is thinking about adding the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to its blacklist of terrorist organizations. Is France in favor of doing the same on the EU list? Do you think such a measure would be useful or counterproductive at a time when the Security Council is to introduce new sanctions against Teheran on the nuclear issue?
We’ve seen the press reports that are circulating with respect to the U.S.’s possible intention to include the Revolutionary Guards on the American list of terrorist organizations.
We haven’t been informed of such a move. And to our knowledge, no such decision has been taken by the American authorities. Your question is therefore premature.
As for the Iranian nuclear issue, we are dedicated to maintaining the unity of the international community.
Let me remind you, furthermore, that a certain number of measures and provisions in SCR 1747 are directed at the Revolutionary Guard. I refer you to the annex to that resolution. The Pasdaran staff, for example, is designated and there are measures that freeze its assets and impose travel restrictions. Military enterprises linked to the Pasdaran are also listed in the resolution.
We are considering additional measures in the framework of a new Security Council resolution against members and backers of the Iran regime who refuse to comply with the international community’s demands.
…lebanon
- Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 13, 2007)
Q: Is France seeking to organize an international and regional conference on Lebanon? Was that idea discussed with President Bush and if so, what was his reaction?
I told you last week that France intended to pursue its efforts following the Celle Saint-Cloud meeting and the foreign minister’s visit to Beirut. Our initiative is part of a continuous process aimed at promoting dialogue among the Lebanese and overcoming institutional blockages.
I am not aware of the proposal you mention or of a formalized proposal of this type. France supports on principle anything that can help mobilize the international community on behalf of an inter-Lebanese dialogue.
As for the content of the conversations between the two Presidents, I invite you to contact the Elysée.
Q: A Beirut daily reported that President Sarkozy could soon join President Bush in announcing sanctions against any person or entity that undermines Lebanese sovereignty. A joint list of these persons and entities could even be announced simultaneously by Paris and Washington. Do you confirm or deny that?
I have no knowledge of such a project. With respect to Saturday’s meeting, I invite you to ask the President’s office. (…)
Q: There’s a lack of clarity about the foreign minister’s trip to Lebanon. Can you give us a few details on his itinerary and his agenda?
I don’t know what lack of clarity you’re referring to. We will comment on a trip by the foreign minister to Lebanon when the time comes. Otherwise, as I’ve indicated, we are continuing our efforts and our consultations, notably via the minister’s envoy, Ambassador Cousseran.
Q: The Syrian foreign minister, Walid Moallem, stated Friday that Syria supported the French attempt to end the crisis that has paralyzed Lebanon for more than nine months, because France’s position is much more impartial than that of the U.S. Do you have any comment?
We took note of those statements.
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 17, 2007)
Q: What summation would you make a year after the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel? Do you think the cease-fire is still very far off?
I’m not sure the word summation is the right one. The diplomatic activity conducted by the international community and France is part of a continuous process.
The UN Security Council’s adoption of resolution 1701 permitted these essential things: the end of hostilities and the creation of conditions for maintaining a cease-fire; significant progress with respect to security in southern Lebanon with the redeployment of the Lebanese army and the reinforcement of UNIFIL’s mandate; and the establishment of a path toward a long-term solution, identifying the main elements of that solution.
On all these points, I refer you to the UN Secretary-General’s report of last June on the follow-up to SCR 1701 and the August 3 Security Council presidential declaration.
Naturally, a lot remains to be done to implement this resolution in its entirety, notably the release of Israeli soldiers and Lebanese prisoners, the strict respect for the arms embargo, a halt to Israeli flyovers, and the resolution of the Shebaa Farms issue.
Furthermore, you are aware of the efforts we have made to facilitate the dialogue among all the Lebanese parties at Mr. Kouchner’s behest and following the Celle Saint-Cloud meeting—efforts that we intend to pursue further.
…Darfur
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 17, 2007)
Q: Yesterday the UN secretary-general proposed to the Security Council a multidisciplinary international presence in Chad and the northern Central African Republic. Do you have any comment? Can you give us some clarification about France’s participation? Does France prefer to establish this presence before deploying hybrid forces in Darfur?
France welcomed with satisfaction the UN secretary-general’s report of August 10, in which he proposed to establish a multi-dimensional UN mission to protect refugees, displaced persons and endangered civilian populations in eastern Chad and the northeastern Central African Republic.
As you know, France has constantly drawn attention to the risks of the Darfur crisis spreading to Chad and the Central African Republic and the need to help provide greater security for refugee and displaced-person camps. The adoption of SCR 1769 on August 1 authorizing the deployment of an AU/UN force in Darfur falls within in this regional context.
We support the project of deploying a multidimensional UN mission in eastern Chad and the northeastern CAR and hope the Security Council will make a decision on this deployment as swiftly as possible The mission should include a civilian and police component to guarantee the security of refugee camps and displaced person sites, and a military component in charge of securing the area.
The EU has expressed its willingness to take charge of the military component of this mission. Operational planning has begun, and we are following the progress of consultations between the UN, our European partners and the governments of Chad and the CAR.
We intend to make a significant contribution to this mission on a par with our political commitment and our presence on the ground. We are also considering the contribution we could make to the civilian component.
…Peru
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 16, 2007)
Let me read you a statement by Foreign Minister Kouchner:
“I was deeply distressed and saddened to learn that a terrible earthquake had struck Peru, leaving many victims.
The French government expresses its deep sympathy to the victims’ families and loved ones, who have been plunged into mourning by this terrible event.”
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 17, 2007)
Q: France offered Peru humanitarian aid after the earthquake; was it accepted? What does it consist of? Are you aware of any French tourists in difficulty in the earthquake zone?
I want to remind you of the President’s message to President Alan Garcia and the minister’s statement.
In this emergency situation, France is prepared to provide aid to supplement the efforts of Peru and the international community, notably to meet crucial drinking water needs with the help of the company Veolia. We are also ready to send medicines. We are closely following developments to respond to specific requests when the time comes.
As for French tourists, our Embassy is mobilized and in close communication with travel operators to provide aid and assistance in the event of problems.
…Kosovo
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (August 17, 2007)
Q: Yesterday, Agim Ceku, the Kosovar Prime Minister, rejected the idea of partitioning Kosovo, which the Troika in charge of reviving discussions doesn’t want to rule out, and called it a “betrayal of the multiethnic principles” the international community had fought so hard for. Does France think the idea of partition should be ruled out now?
With the support of the UN secretary-general and the backing of the contact group, the Troika, consisting of representatives from the United States, the Russian Federation and the EU, visited Belgrade and Pristina on August 10-11 so that the two parties could engage in an intense resumption of the dialogue, in a spirit of openness and compromise, in order to find a lasting solution to the question of Kosovo’s status.
This is the spirit informing France’s actions.
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