…Pakistan
Statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson - October 19, 2007
France, like its European partners, condemns in the strongest possible terms the appalling attack that took place in Karachi in the night of Thursday to Friday.
We offer our condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, his government and the authorities of Karachi and the province of Sindh, and assure them of our solidarity.
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, immediately asked the ambassador of France in Islamabad to convey his shock and outrage to Ms Benazir Bhutto.
France hopes that the forthcoming legislative elections in Pakistan take place in compliance with democratic rules.
…Iran
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 16, 2007)
Q: Iran is very much in the news… Where does France stand with regard to the options that are on the table? Against violence as recommended by the Americans or with all options open?
I will repeat. France hopes that negotiations and dialogue will lead to a solution to this crisis born of the Iranian nuclear question, I would remind you.
We are working with the entire international community and our European partners to reinforce sanctions precisely so as to enable the negotiations to succeed.
France remains committed to these two aspects: negotiation and sanctions. Our position hasn’t varied and it was restated by the minister in Luxembourg yesterday. This isn’t just France’s position, it’s also the EU’s.
Q: In the statement you speak of sanctions as a priority in the UN context. Last week Mr. Kouchner’s letter to his European counterparts asked for sanctions in the European framework. Has there been a shift?
No. Mr. Kouchner’s letter referred to the statement of the 3 + 3 (France, Germany, U.K., U.S., China and Russia) which was adopted in New York on September 28. It recalled the priority of the UN framework and said that we had to think about sanctions at the European level in parallel. These are two complementary approaches. Our position hasn’t changed; the priority is to reach sanctions at the UN, but we’re also thinking with our European partners about sanctions at the European level. The two approaches are complementary.
Q: You’re talking of dialogue with Iran today but on what bases?
We’ve advocated dialogue and negotiation all along. As I’ve said, we made the Iranians an offer of cooperation in all areas and especially in civilian nuclear energy. That’s what we’re talking about. But when we made this offer, they rejected it. Let me say it again: there is no change, our position is clear. We have to think about stiffer sanctions so long as Iran fails to comply with its international obligations.
Q: France wanted Iran to be considered in the European context. Was this proposal discussed yesterday?
Yes, it was discussed at length. It was an important item on the council agenda as France had proposed. The Europeans are united and stand shoulder to shoulder on this matter. Also reaffirmed is the priority of the UN and the reference to the E3 + 3 statement of September 28 stating that we are waiting for the reports from Mr. ElBaradei and Mr. Solana before deciding whether or not sanctions should be adopted at the UN.
Q: And what are the reactions of the other partners?
The conclusions I’ve just referred to were adopted by all the council members, therefore by all the member states.
Q: In the conclusions published in Brussels yesterday, it seems the EU is now putting far more emphasis on the application of the agreement between the IAEA and Iran. (…)
Yesterday’s conclusions confirm our position with its two aspects: on one hand, dialogue and negotiation; and on the other, the threat of sanctions which remains so long as Iran isn’t fulfilling its international obligations.
Read the conclusions. We all hope that Iran will comply with its international obligations and that Mr. ElBaradei, in his November report, will be able to show that Iran is indeed on the path the international community is hoping for. This is absolutely not new. The threat of sanctions exists so as to ensure that the negotiation succeeds.
Q: When is Mr. Solana’s report due out and what will it contain?
It is expected for November like Mr. ElBaradei’s. In the E3 + 3 statement, we ask the IAEA director and Mr. Solana to prepare a report on the situation. The general affairs council refers to it in the fourth paragraph of the conclusion it adopted on Iran yesterday.
…Syria
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 19, 2007)
Q: Syrian sources claim a meeting between Mr. Kouchner and Mr. Mouallem has already been arranged for November 2 or 3 in Istanbul. Can you confirm this or isn’t it on the agenda?
The minister has confirmed that he would be going to Istanbul to take part in the meeting of countries neighboring Iraq. At this point I have no details about the arrangement of the work in Istanbul. As I said yesterday, the minister spoke on the phone with Mr. Mouallem but they did not, so far as I know, discuss the Istanbul conference. The minister repeated the French position to Mr. Mouallem as stated by President Sarkozy in his remarks to the ambassadors on August 27, also on the situation in Lebanon and on relations between Syria and France. That’s where things stand.
As soon as we have details about the Istanbul meeting, I will let you know.
Q: Why this contact with the Syrian minister?
The minister wanted contacts with his counterparts before he goes to Lebanon. He called the Saudi minister, the Egyptian minister, he had Amr Moussa, he spoke with his European colleagues last night, and there’s also been the phone call to Mr. Mouallem. There’s been nothing new since.
…Turkey
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 19, 2007)
Q: The Turkish Parliament has just given its consent for operations against PKK Rebels. What is your position on this question?
Our position, unchanged, in support of Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity has been repeated, and I reiterated it again this morning. As you know, dialogue is continuing at this time between the Iraqis and the Turks, and I refer you to President Talabani’s statements during the press conference that followed his meeting with the minister, Bernard Kouchner. He gave a positive assessment of this dialogue and said that he earnestly hoped that the dialogue between the Iraqis and Turks will ease tensions. Like President Talabani, we hope that the dialogue will lead to a peaceful outcome.
…France-Sudan
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 19, 2007)
In the wake of the diplomatic initiative by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner in convening the enlarged ministerial contact group in Darfur in Paris on June 25, Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Secretary Rama Yade will be in Sudan from Sunday to Tuesday, October 21-23. During her visit she will have talks in Khartoum with the Sudanese authorities on the Darfur situation and the implementation of the North/South peace accord.
During her visit Ms Yade will pay particular attention to humanitarian projects directed to children, their situation in Darfur and that of women. Last July the secretary of state launched an initiative to help the situation of women and children in Darfur, in particular by meeting in Paris with the humanitarian actors on the ground and receiving a delegation of women led by Mary Robinson.
Ms Yade will continue her visit with a trip to El Fasher (northern Darfur). She will meet with representatives of the Sudanese government, the entire humanitarian community in the field there and officials from the African Union mission in Darfur and the AU/UN hybrid operation.
Q: How is the dialogue coming along?
As you can see things are not going forward. We continue to tell all those concerned, including Abdulwahid El Nour, that it is essential they take part in the dialogue.
…World anti-poverty day
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 17, 2007)
France is joining in the world day against poverty co-organized by the UN and ATD Fourth World, whose 20th anniversary we celebrate today.
France, which actively participates in the actions of international organizations to combat poverty, has presented the question of extreme poverty at the United Nations, thereby pursuing the actions undertaken by Father Wresinski.
Extreme poverty prevents the most vulnerable from enjoying their fundamental rights. It constitutes an inadmissible attack on the dignity of the human person. It should be tackled by making effective the existing rights which every human being should be able to enjoy.
It is in this spirit that we support, in liaison with ATD Fourth World, the emergence of guiding principles on extreme poverty in the Human Rights Council and that we shall be asking for the renewal of the mandate of the UN independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty.
France will spare no effort to ensure that further progress in the fight against poverty is achieved within the multilateral forums.
…Haiti/MINUSTAH
Press briefing given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson (October 17, 2007)
We welcome the unanimous adoption on October 15 of resolution 1780 renewing the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for another year.
This force, over 9,000 strong, has played a vital role in the stabilization of Haiti since 2004. It made it possible to hold free elections and contributes to the establishment of the rule of law, to strengthening the police and the administration of justice.
The action of MINUSTAH has also improved the security situation. We support the strengthening of its border-control mission decided by the Security Council so as to deal more effectively with drugs smuggling.
More issues and more on these issues at : (French Embassy in Washington), (French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) You can also receive this letter via e-mail. Please, send your e-mail address to info.WASHINGTON-AMBA@diplomatie.fr
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