Attack on the World Food Program Offices in Islamabad
Guinea / Mediation by President Compaoré
Civil Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates
Iran / Nuclear issue
Statement by Bernard Kouchner / Attack on the World Food Program Offices in Islamabad
I was absolutely appalled to learn of this morning’s terrorist attack targeting the World Food Programme offices in Islamabad, and which, according to the latest report, killed at least three people and injured several others.
France utterly condemns this heinous act which once again reminds us that the first victims of terrorism are civilians and those who work to ensure their development and safety.
I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and all the United Nations staff.
I reiterate France’s full support for the Pakistani authorities in the battle they are waging against terrorism. I would also like to pay tribute to the United Nations institutions and their personnel who, often at the risk of their lives, carry out an essential mission to promote peace and development
Guinea / Mediation by President Compaoré
France welcomes the appointment by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of President Compaoré as facilitator in the effort to resolve the crisis in Guinea. It recognizes President Compaoré’s commitment and action to promote peace on the African continent, which have been expressed through very many mediation efforts, for example in Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.
France supports all the political initiatives with this end in view. The same applies to the one to deploy an African peace force capable of leading to a rapid, peaceful and lasting settlement of the crisis Guinea is currently enduring.
France is encouraging ECOWAS, the African Union and United Nations Commission on Human Rights to set up forthwith an international commission of inquiry to establish irrefutably where the responsibility lies for the September 28 massacre. As we have already said, those responsible for the killings will have to answer for their actions. In this context, Bernard Kouchner reiterated yesterday that it was now no longer possible to work with Dadis Camara.
France demands the effective guarantee of public freedoms, particularly the freedom of expression and demonstration. It asks for the immediate, unconditional release of all demonstrators still held by the junta.
Civil Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates
We welcome the United Arab Emirates’ promulgation of the law on nuclear energy, which provides for the development of a civil nuclear energy program in a precise, transparent legal framework.
This law, which bans enrichment and reprocessing on Emirati soil, illustrates the serious approach taken by the Emirates vis-à-vis the challenges of non-proliferation and sends a clear signal in support of the responsible development of civil nuclear energy, which France promotes.
The establishment of an independent nuclear safety authority is also the path chosen by countries establishing a modern, secure nuclear program.
France will continue to provide its full support for the development of the UAR’s civilian nuclear program.
Do you have any information supporting British revelations concerning Iran’s possession of detonation systems for nuclear weapons? Was this the information contained in the famous annexes France was talking about?
With respect to the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program, the IAEA has already had the opportunity, in many reports, to note the information and the questions to which it has still not received replies.
Successive IAEA reports, notably the latest, dated August 28, do indeed discuss possible Iranian activities linked to the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons, including tests of high-power explosives. That issue was raised by the IAEA, which has not yet received a serious response./.