Death of Claude Lévi-Strauss (November 3) – Statement by Bernard Kouchner
Visit by the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister
Iran
Afghanistan
North Korea
Death of Claude Lévi-Strauss (November 3) – Statement by Bernard Kouchner
I was very sad to learn of the death of Claude Lévi-Strauss. With his death, France has lost one of its most remarkable and world-renowned intellectuals, whose important work, through its scope and depth, will continue to fuel the discussions of all those who are striving for a better understanding of human societies.
For more than half a century, the works of Claude Lévi-Strauss have led the way and clarified the history of human societies by expressing the deep belief that humanity can only make progress through respect and dialogue between cultures, that it can only flourish through fruitful engagement with other cultures, with their traditions and their values. By combining science and intuition, a sense of rootedness and movement, in order to explain the uniqueness and diversity of the Amazonian Indians’ cultures, in which he completely immersed himself and which he wanted to share, Claude Lévi-Strauss had a profound impact on anthropology, forging fundamental concepts for generations of researchers.
With the death of Claude Lévi-Strauss, France has lost not only a great anthropologist and visionary inspired by a universal conscience, but also an heir of the Enlightenment whose scientific thinking was always characterized by high moral standards and his deeply held belief in the equal dignity of cultures and men. By sharing and communicating the uniqueness of “primitive people,” Claude Lévi-Strauss put them at the heart of modern humanity and broke with the ethnocentric vision of the history of humanity.
Claude Lévi-Strauss perceived what we now call globalization as the expression of the planet’s uniqueness, confirming the necessary emergence of a new relationship between man and nature. At a time when we are trying to give meaning to globalization, to build a more just and humane world, I would like the universal echo of Claude Lévi-Strauss’s work to resonate more strongly.
Visit by the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister
Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, will receive his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, on Friday, November 6 for a meeting followed by a working lunch and a press briefing.
This is Ahmet Davutoglu’s first official visit to France since he was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in May 2009 and falls within the framework of the continuity of recent bilateral visits, including President Gul’s official visit to Paris on October 9, when he opened the “Season of Turkish Culture” together with the President of the Republic.
France considers Turkey to be a strategic partner. The meeting between the two ministers will provide an opportunity to intensify and strengthen our cooperation and dialogue regarding the major international challenges and major regional issues, in particular the Middle East and Iran.
Can you confirm the report that the Embassy of France in Tehran has sent a letter to the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, confirming that Clotilde Reiss will attend the court hearings but that in exchange her release on bail will not be put into question? The embassy is said to have asked for written confirmation of this.
You know our position regarding our compatriot Clotilde Reiss. Please refer to the most recent statements by the President of the Republic and the minister on this topic.
What is France’s reaction to the Iranian security forces’ violent dispersal of and crackdown on opposition demonstrators in Tehran?
We are extremely concerned about the reports of new police violence and arbitrary arrests of Iranian citizens who were demonstrating peacefully today in Iran.
We condemn this new wave of violence and crackdowns.
We pay tribute to the courage of all those in Iran who are fighting peacefully to protect their fundamental rights.
What is France’s reaction to Abdullah Abdullah’s statement that the reelection of Hamid Karzai has no legal basis?
Bernard Kouchner, together with his German counterpart, Guido Westerwelle, recently stated that “We must now look towards the future. The future will largely be determined by the Afghans’ capacity to work together and, in particular, by the capacity of President Karzai and his main electoral opponent, Mr. Abdullah Abdullah, to establish a constructive dialogue for the country.”
By working together the Afghans will be able to more effectively assume responsibility for their security and their development and establish the rule of law. The Afghans can count on the support of France and the international community in this process.
Can you confirm the dates of Jacques Lang’s visit to China and North Korea and can you give us an outline of his program?
He went to Japan from October 4-6 where he had meetings with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Okada, as well as the Minister responsible for the abduction issue, Mr. Sakai, and with many experts on the North Korean issue.
He had meetings in Seoul with the President of the Republic of Korea, the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Unification Minister, as well as with experts, NGOs and representatives of civil society.
The visit to North Korea is still being planned. Mr. Lang is scheduled to go there at the beginning of November.